By Becky Hardin
Published Nov 13, 2020
This quick and easy parmesan polenta recipe is a wonderful addition to any meal. Quick and easy to make with a few simple ingredients, it’s wonderfully creamy, rich and cheesy.
Creamy Polenta Recipe
This delicious parmesan polenta is so easy to make and a great side dish to serve up during Thanksgiving and the holidays .
If you haven’t had polenta before, you have to give this recipe a try, I’m pretty sure you are going to love it! It takes minutes to make and it works so with so many main meals.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try my Herb Crusted Salmon with Goat Cheese Polenta .
Why you’ll love Parmesan Polenta:
- 3 ingredients : Yep, that’s right, you only need 3 ingredients plus a little salt and water to make this yummy dish.
- Quick: Make this with instant polenta and this side is ready to serve in about 5 minutes!
- Gluten-free : Polenta is a great alternative if you or anyone in your family has an intolerance.
How to make parmesan polenta
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Whisk in the polenta.
- Cook, whilst stirring, until it has thickened.
- Stir in the parmesan, butter and salt.
- Serve.
Try ALL the Sides
60+ Holiday Side Dishes
This Thanksgiving we hope you enjoy as many sides as possible with this Roast Turkey Breast!
Can you make it ahead of time?
If you are planning to serve this parmesan polenta as part of a big feast, you can easily make it ahead of time. Once it has cooled, transfer it to an aitright container and it will keep well for 2 days in the fridge.
Reheat it on a low heat on the stovetop, whilst stirring, until heated through.
What do you serve it with?
This polenta can be served in place of rice, pasta or potatoes, and it won’t be out of place at and Thanksgiving or holiday table. Try it with:
- Prime Rib Roast
- Meatball Parmesan Recipe
- Honey Garlic Salmon and Asparagus
- Roast Turkey Breast
- Crockpot Turkey Breast
- Stovetop Burgers
What does polenta taste like?
Polenta is made from corn, so it has a slight subtle sweetness to it. It has a similar texture and flavor to grits. If you like cornbread , you will love the flavor of polenta!
Tips!
- You’ll know when your polenta is ready when the individual grains are tender and the texture is smooth and pourable. If the polenta is runny/watery, it has not cooked long enough. If your polenta is thick and no longer pourable, add an additional 1/2 cup of water or milk and whisk it to combine.
- For extra flavor in your parmesan polenta, substitute the water for chicken stock. For extra creaminess, substitute 1.5 cups of water for milk.
- I always recommend buying a block of Parmigiano Reggiano and grating it as you need it— it has a much stronger, nuttier flavor than pre-grated cheeses.
Cooking Time Notes
Cook time depends on type of polenta, anywhere from 3-30 minutes.
If using Instant Polenta (my preference), it should be finished cooking in 3-5 minutes.
If using cornmeal (coarse or fine), it should be finished in 25-30 minutes.
More Side Dish Recipes
This Creamy Parmesan Polenta is a great side dish, but you can never have too many go-to sides. Be sure to try our other favorites.
Funeral Potatoes
Brussels Sprouts Gratin
Green Bean Casserole
Corn Pudding
Homemade Crescent Rolls
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Homemade Stuffing
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 3 cups water
- ▢ 1 cup polenta
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ½ cup grated parmesan
- ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add the water to a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil.
- Slowly add the polenta, whisking continuously.
- Cook the polenta, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly. See notes for time estimates.
- Add the parmesan, butter, and salt.
- Serve immediately.
- Leftover polenta can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat.
Becky’s Tips
- Cook Time: Depends on type of polenta, anywhere from 3-30 minutes— see below. If using Instant Polenta (my preference), it should be finished cooking in 3-5 minutes. If using cornmeal (coarse or fine), it should be finished in 25-30 minutes.
- You’ll know when your polenta is ready when the individual grains are tender and the texture is smooth and pourable. If the polenta is runny/watery, it has not cooked long enough. If your polenta is thick and no longer pourable, add an additional 1/2 cup of water or milk and whisk it to combine.
- For extra flavor, substitute the water for chicken stock. For extra creaminess, substitute 1.5 cups of water for milk.
- I always recommend buying a block of Parmigiano Reggiano and grating it as you need it— it has a much stronger, nuttier flavor than pre-grated cheeses.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Parmesan Polenta Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup polenta
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add the water to a large saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil.
- Slowly add the polenta, whisking continuously.
- Cook the polenta, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly. See notes for time estimates.
- Add the parmesan, butter, and salt.
- Serve immediately.
- Leftover polenta can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat.
Notes
- Cook Time: Depends on type of polenta, anywhere from 3-30 minutes— see below. If using Instant Polenta (my preference), it should be finished cooking in 3-5 minutes. If using cornmeal (coarse or fine), it should be finished in 25-30 minutes.
- You’ll know when your polenta is ready when the individual grains are tender and the texture is smooth and pourable. If the polenta is runny/watery, it has not cooked long enough. If your polenta is thick and no longer pourable, add an additional 1/2 cup of water or milk and whisk it to combine.
- For extra flavor, substitute the water for chicken stock. For extra creaminess, substitute 1.5 cups of water for milk.
- I always recommend buying a block of Parmigiano Reggiano and grating it as you need it— it has a much stronger, nuttier flavor than pre-grated cheeses.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
