Creamy Parmesan Polenta With Fresh Herbs
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This Creamy Parmesan Polenta Recipe is rich, buttery, and packed with Parmesan, making it a comforting side dish for cooler days.
Soft, creamy polenta is one of those simple sides that works with so many meals. Finished with butter, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, it’s especially good served warm beneath saucy meat dishes, roasted vegetables, or your favorite fall comfort foods.
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Why You’ll Love This Creamy Parmesan Polenta Recipe
- Wonderfully creamy: Slowly cooking the polenta creates a smooth, comforting texture.
- Rich and cheesy: Butter and Parmesan give this simple side plenty of savory flavor.
- Perfect with saucy dishes: Spoon stews, braised meats, or grilled vegetables over the top and let the polenta soak up all those juices.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to prepare this dish.
- Versatile side dish: Serve it with beef, chicken, pork, mushrooms, or your favorite vegetables.
Looking for more cozy dishes? Browse our Fall Recipes for more seasonal meal inspiration.
Pair Creamy Polenta With…
Creamy Parmesan Polenta makes a delicious alternative to mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice and works particularly well with rich, saucy main dishes.
- Chicken and White Bean Stew
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Braised Beef Burgundy Stew
- Orange-Glazed Pork Loin with Roasted Root Vegetables
How Do I Make Creamy Parmesan Polenta?
Check out the recipe card below—you can print or save it for later—please leave a review and star rating!
Creamy Parmesan Polenta
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup coarse-ground polenta or cornmeal
- 5 tablespoons butter divided
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 ounces, plus more for serving
- Fresh rosemary or parsley optional, for serving
Instructions
- Pour the water and milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until boiling.
- Add the salt, then gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue whisking as you add it to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cover. Cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring approximately every 5 minutes to prevent the polenta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. It will gradually thicken as it cooks.⅕
- Remove the cooked polenta from the heat. Add 3½ tablespoons of butter and the Parmesan, stirring until melted and completely incorporated.
- Taste the polenta and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Ladle the creamy polenta into serving bowls. Top each portion with some of the remaining butter, additional Parmesan, and fresh rosemary or parsley, if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Tips
- Use coarse-ground polenta or cornmeal instead of finely ground cornmeal.
- Add the polenta gradually, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Stir the polenta approximately every 5 minutes as it cooks to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
- The polenta will continue to thicken as it stands. If it becomes thicker than you prefer, stir in a small splash of warm milk or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Substitutions
- The original recipe uses a mix of water and milk, but you can also use chicken stock, vegetable stock, or a combination of liquids for a different flavor.
- Add fresh rosemary or parsley when serving, or leave the herbs out if preferred.
Leftovers
- Allow leftover polenta to cool before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating.
- Polenta firms considerably as it cools. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a little milk, water, or stock as needed to restore its creamy consistency.
- Reheat leftovers thoroughly until piping hot throughout before serving.
Freezing
- You can freeze creamy polenta, although its texture may change slightly after thawing.
- Cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe airtight container.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently, stirring in a little milk, water, or stock to loosen the polenta and restore its creamy texture.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Creamy Comfort in a Bowl
Rich Parmesan, butter, and fresh herbs turn humble polenta into a seriously comforting side dish. Spoon it into bowls while it’s hot and creamy, add your favorite main dish, and enjoy!
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