Easy, Creamy Oven-Baked Polenta
 
Cook time
Total time
 
An easy, no-stir method to cook the polenta
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: serves 4
Ingredients
  • 2 TBSP. butter
  • 4.5 cups of water (or, 3.5 cups of water & 1 cup of milk)
  • 1 cup Polenta (not the instant variety)
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
  • 4 oz. Parmesan (plus more for serving)
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. Bring 4½ cups water (or, use some milk as part of the liquid), to a simmer in a large ovenproof saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the butter and the salt and whisk until the butter is melted. Gradually stir in the polenta--do not add it all at once or you will end up with clumps. Whisk the mixture constantly until the polenta comes to a boil.
  3. Cover the pot with a lid, and transfer it to the lower rack in the oven. Bake until the polenta is tender, about 25–30 minutes. Remove the polenta from oven.
  4. Meanwhile, carefully uncover the saucepan and whisk the polenta vigorously, scraping bottom of pan to keep any from burning. At that point the polenta should be smooth. Slowly add the Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until the cheese is melted and the polenta is smooth and thick. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Cover until ready to serve (it will stay warm for up to half an hour, covered). If necessary, reheat over low heat when ready to serve.
  5. Divide the polenta among warmed bowls and top with more Parmesan. Serve at once.
Recipe by Marilena's Kitchen at https://marilenaskitchen.com/roasted-pork-tenderloin-and-easy-creamy-oven-baked-polenta/