Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (2024)

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Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes, a great way to use up the garden tomatoes and basil! Plus, enter to win a fun giveaway!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (1)

There is nothing better than fresh garden tomatoes and basil, especially when you put them together. They are a match made in heaven. Our garden is producing tomatoes and basil like crazy so I am I trying to use them in every way I can. My new favorite way to enjoy our garden tomatoes and basil is in this Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes recipe.

For our third Kitchen Conversations,it’s all about simple back-to-school meals, and this recipe definitely fits the bill. While Caleb may not be heading to school this fall, I know it’s a struggle for any family to get dinner on the table during the busy weeknights. With this recipe, we had dinner on the table in under 30 minutes and it sure was tasty! Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes is going to be a regular meal at our house. Plus, it’s a great way to use up the end of the summer tomatoes and basil!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (2)

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (3)

This recipe is as simple as can be. I’m always looking for quick easy and weeknight recipes, and this is one of them! You only need a few ingredients to make this tasty meal: polenta,Land O Lakes® Butter, Parmesan cheese, milk, basil, grape tomatoes, garlic and a little olive oil.

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (4)

We used instant polenta to keep the recipe quick and easy. When dinner time rolls around, we are always looking for simple recipes that we can get on the table in a hurry. We added a Half Stick of Land O Lakes butter to add creaminess to the polenta. One half stick was the perfect amount!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (5)

We also added milk, parmesan cheese, and freshly chopped basil to the polenta.

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (6)

We roasted grape tomatoes with garlic and olive oil in the oven. They only took 20 minutes to roast and made our house smell amazing!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (7)

We spooned the polenta into bowls and added the roasted tomatoes. We sprinkled on a little extra parmesan cheese for presentation and for extra cheesiness!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (8)

When I went to Chicago with Land O Lakes, we had a Kitchen Conversation about simple back to school meals at BlogHer and this recipe definitely fits the bill. We had dinner on the table in under 30 minutes and it sure was tasty! Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes is going to be a regular meal at our house. Plus, it’s a great way to use up the end of the summer tomatoes and basil!

Looking for a quick and easy meal for back to school, or anytime, make Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes. Oh, and this recipe is Caleb approved. He devoured his bowl!

We also have a fun Land giveaway for you today! The giveaway includes Land O’ Lakes Butter, a Le Creuset Two-in-One Pan, a serving bowl and butter dish from Anthropologie, a cheese grater, and wooden serving set. Use the PromoSimple Widget below to enter!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (9)

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (10)

Vegetarian

Creamy polenta with butter, parmesan cheese, and basil. Top with roasted tomatoes for a simple and delicious meal!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • For the roasted tomatoes:
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • For the polenta:
  • 1 9 oz. package instant polenta
  • 4 tablespoons of butter 1 Land O Lakes half stick
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped basil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the tomatoes and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss until tomatoes are well coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place in the oven and roast for 20 minutes.

  • 2. While the tomatoes are roasting, make the polenta. Make polenta according to package instructions. Stir in butter, milk, parmesan cheese, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.

  • 3. Serve immediately so the instant polenta doesn't firm up. Pour the polenta into individual bowls and top with roasted tomatoes.

  • Note-If the polenta firms up, just add more water or milk and stir. We ate leftovers the next day. I just added a little water before heating it up in the microwave and it was creamy and delicious!

Have you tried this recipe?

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Disclosure-this post is in partnership with Land O’ Lakes for their Kitchen Conversations blogger program, but our opinions are our own. We love Land O Lakes butter!

Creamy Basil Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes | Polenta Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with creamy polenta? ›

“Polenta is the perfect accompaniment to a flavourful, hearty ragu, grilled meats or sausages,” says the Florence-based food writer Emiko Davies. “I also love it with a stew of vongole [or pipis], with tomatoes and chilli.”

What is traditionally served with polenta? ›

Polenta can be served with various toppings, like tomato meat sauce or a “white” sauce of sausage and mushrooms. In Abruzzo, especially in the province of Aquila during Lent, polenta is served with snail sauce or cooked in milk and served seasoned with oil, garlic and chili peppers.

How to eat polenta for dinner? ›

Spoon steamed or cooked veggies over hot polenta. Add cheese, herbs or other favorite seasonings. Top polenta with your favorite pasta sauce. Add sautéed greens and protein of choice including meats, cheese, lentils and legumes.

What is polenta made of? ›

Polenta is cornmeal made from ground flint corn. Typically, it's coarsely ground yellow corn, but sometimes it's finely ground yellow or white corn.

Is polenta Mexican or Italian? ›

Polenta (/pəˈlɛntə, poʊˈ-/, Italian: [poˈlɛnta]) is a dish of boiled cornmeal that was historically made from other grains. The dish comes from Italy.

What meat goes best with polenta? ›

You can serve this basic side dish on its own or alongside protein such as Pressure-Cooker Short Ribs, pan-seared chicken, or seafood. Here, we're sharing our favorite ways to serve polenta for dinner as well as a few creative variations on this satisfying staple.

Is polenta good for the bowels? ›

Polenta contains both protein and fiber to help a person feel full. Fiber is also recommended to keep the digestive system functioning properly, to feed healthy gut bacteria, and to prevent constipation.

How do you make polenta taste better? ›

Cooking it in milk will produce a rich and creamy polenta that's delicious and indulgent, but also heavy; stock (vegetable or chicken) will infuse the polenta with more flavor, but that flavor can also cover up the taste of the cornmeal.

Is polenta good for your stomach? ›

Making polenta is quick and easy and the digestive system loves it. Polenta is high in fiber and low in calories. Due to its neutral taste, it can be combined with various foods and served as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is filling and easily digestible.

What is the best way to serve polenta? ›

Polenta pairs extremely well with stews, braised meats, saucy bean dishes, and roasted vegetables. It's the perfect cozy companion to all of your warm winter meals. Try it with our Chicken Cacciatore, or Slow Cooker Beef Stew!

What to serve with fried polenta dinner? ›

7. Roasted chicken or grilled seafood: Pair fried polenta with roasted chicken or grilled seafood like shrimp, scallops, or fish. The polenta acts as a tasty and satisfying side dish to accompany the main protein.

What kind of restaurant is most likely to serve polenta? ›

I'm sure you've eaten polenta before; you just might not remember it. It's that menu item at Italian restaurants that's always tucked away inconspicuously, around the risotto.

Do Italians eat polenta for breakfast? ›

No, polenta is not just a breakfast food in Italy. In Northern Italy, polenta is a common dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish at any time of the day. It is usually produced with boiling cornmeal and can be cooked in a number of different ways, including baking, frying, or grilling.

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