Easy Parmesan Polenta

This Easy Parmesan Polenta  is a nice alternative to potatoes or rice as a side dish. My dubious of new foods husband took a taste and was an instant fan. Plus it takes less than a half hour to prepare!

Easy Parmesan Polenta

This cheesy Parmesan Polenta recipe from Giada DeLaurentis drew an “Outstanding” rating from the hubby. Hard to believe he thought polenta was a chicken dish, but that was good for a giggle. I’ll leave the cooking terms as the area of my expertise, and he can worry about coronary arteries and such instead.

I first had this glorious polenta at our book club’s summer dinner and it took only about a half hour from start to finish when I recreated it at home. I whipped it up as Bill lit the charcoal for our grilled pork tenderloins, then placed slices of the pork over the polenta in lieu of mashed potatoes.

Tips for Making This Cheesy Polenta

As a precaution, never knowing if a new dish will be a hit with the picky spouse, I only made a half recipe. This can easily be doubled. I’m sure you’ll be able to make it all disappear. And as a novice polenta maker, I had a few under cooked specks, so make sure to turn your burner down to low after the cornmeal is added to the water. It really didn’t deter from the overall results; we both loved it! With a nip in the air, we can turn on our ovens and offer warm comfort foods. This Easy Parmesan Polenta definitely qualifies.

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Parmesan Polenta

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Easy Parmesan Polenta for a quick delicious side dish!

• Author: Liz Berg
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian American

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus extra for seasoning
• 1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal or polenta
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature
• 5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil, then add salt. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal. Reduce the heat to low and cook, whisking often, till the mixture thickens and the cornmeal is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Take pan off the heat and whisk in the cheese, milk, butter, and parsley. Stir until the butter and cheese have melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

Recipe from Giada DeLaurentis

More Autumn Comfort Foods

Amazing Breakfasts, Brunches, and Breads

• Mini Apple Cinnamon Rolls from Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Cinnamon Apple Crepes from Juanita’s Cocina
• Maple Apple Bread from The Foodie Army Wife
• Pumpkin Ale Pretzel Buns from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Outstanding Soups, Starters and Sides:

• Bacon, Corn and Shrimp Chowder from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Pumpkin Tomato Sauce with Andouille Sausage from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Parmesan Polenta from That Skinny Chick can Bake
• Farro Date Salad with Mango and Arugula from Shockingly Delicious
• Butternut Squash Tian with Herb Topping from Food Lust People Love
• Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup from Alida’s Kitchen

Comforting Main Dishes:

• Roasted Fig & Pancetta Pasta Carbonara from Nik Snacks
• Bacon Spinach Pasta from Magnolia Days
• Chicken, Spinach, and Gnocchi Soup from Cookin’ Mimi
• Stuffed Meatballs in Tomato Alfredo Sauce from Family Foodie
• Butternut Squash and Lentil Pot Pie from Curious Cuisiniere
• Onion Tart {Zwiebelkuchen} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili from Neighborfood

Decadent Desserts:

• Pumpkin Marshmallows from Home Cooking Memories
• Salted Caramel Apple Crisp Bars from Table for Seven
• Apple Cider Five Spice Caramels from girlichef
• Italian Apple Torta from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Caramel Apple Sugar Cookie Pizza from Chocolate Moosey
• Pumpkin Bourbon Pie with Walnut Crumble from Gotta Get Baked
• Pear Almond Graham Cracker Tart from Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Walnut-Stuffed Baked Apples from Foxes Loves Lemons
• Caramel Apples from Pies and Plots
• Funnel Cakes from The Texan New Yorker
• {Gluten-Free} Pumpkin Swirl Pecan Crumb Cake from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Chocolate Pumpkin Swiss Roll Cake from Big Bear’s Wife
• Hot Apple Pizza from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Tasty Drinks:

• Pumpkin Juice – Harry Potter Style from The Dinner-Mom
• The Best Wines for Fall Foods from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog