How to Make Baked Polenta with Cheese - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something so comforting and satisfying about a warm, cheesy dish straight out of the oven. And when it comes to comfort food, few things beat a creamy, cheesy baked polenta. This classic Italian dish is a delicious and versatile addition to any meal, and it's surprisingly simple to make. Whether you're serving it as a side dish or a main course, baked polenta with cheese is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

Polenta is made from coarse cornmeal, and it has a rich, ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon butter, or as needed
  • 2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese, or as needed
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 pinch salt and ground white pepper to taste
  • 1 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • 1 (16 ounce) tube polenta, cut into 1/8-inch slices

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Servings: 5
  • Yield: 5 servings

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with 1 teaspoon butter. Add 2 teaspoons Parmesan cheese to the baking pan and shake gently, back and forth, until the bottom and sides are coated with Parmesan, discarding any extra.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add flour and stir until well combined. Turn off heat and whisk in milk. Turn heat to medium-low and bring sauce to a simmer; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • While sauce is thickening, mix together Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs in a bowl.
  • Layer 1/2 of the polenta slices in the prepared baking dish and top with 1/2 of the sauce. Repeat with remaining polenta and sauce. Top with cheese mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    424 cal.

    • Total Fat: 25g
    • Saturated Fat: 15g
    • Cholesterol: 71mg
    • Sodium: 820mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 33g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 8g
    • Protein: 18g
    • Vitamin C: 5mg
    • Calcium: 464mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 272mg