Ina Garten’s Dreamy Creamy Parmesan Polenta Recipe

Parmesan polenta transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences with its rich, silky texture and luxurious flavor profile.

This classic Italian staple represents pure comfort in a bowl, offering a smooth and velvety canvas for countless ingredient combinations.

Creamy and indulgent, polenta adapts seamlessly to multiple cooking styles and seasonal variations.

Each spoonful promises a warm embrace of hearty, soothing goodness that connects you to traditional Mediterranean cuisine.

The dish celebrates simplicity while delivering complex, deeply satisfying sensations across your palate.

Its versatility means you can elevate weeknight dinners or impress guests with minimal effort.

Smooth, sultry, and supremely adaptable, this beloved preparation will become your go-to side dish:

Why Parmesan Polenta Is the Creamy Side You Crave

• Elevate Comfort with Creamy Texture: This polenta transforms simple cornmeal into a luxuriously smooth, velvety dish that melts in your mouth, creating a rich and indulgent experience with every spoonful.
• Speed Up Weeknight Cooking: Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe offers a quick and elegant side dish that impresses without demanding hours of complicated preparation, making it perfect for busy home cooks.
• Customize with Gourmet Ingredients: The combination of Parmesan cheese, crème fraîche, and butter adds deep, sophisticated flavors that elevate basic cornmeal into a restaurant-quality accompaniment that feels both familiar and fancy.
• Master Simple Cooking Technique: Learn the art of whisking cornmeal smoothly and preventing lumps, gaining a fundamental culinary skill that translates to multiple dishes while creating a professional-level side that looks effortlessly elegant.

Stir Up These Essentials for Comfort in a Bowl

• Chicken Stock: Provides rich, savory foundation for the polenta, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic complexity to the base liquid.

• Yellow Cornmeal: Core ingredient that creates the creamy polenta texture, best when stone-ground for superior taste.
• Kosher Salt: Essential for balancing and highlighting the dish's overall seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground adds warm, spicy undertone to the creamy polenta.

• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty flavor and helps create luxurious, smooth texture, choose authentic Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano for best results.
• Crème Fraîche: Introduces rich, velvety smoothness and subtle tanginess to the dish.
• Unsalted Butter: Contributes silky richness and helps bind ingredients together, select high-quality butter for best flavor.

How to Get That Melted Cheese Swirl Just Right

Step 1: Gather Ingredients

• Chicken stock
• Garlic
• Yellow cornmeal
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Crème fraîche
• Unsalted butter

Step 2: Kickstart Flavor Base

Pour chicken stock into a large saucepan and add minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3: Slowly Introduce Cornmeal

Reduce heat to medium-low. Gradually whisk in yellow cornmeal, using smooth circular motions to prevent any pesky lumps from forming.

Step 4: Develop Rich Texture

Switch to a wooden spoon. Sprinkle in salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring consistently and scraping pan bottom to ensure smooth consistency.

Step 5: Create Creamy Perfection

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Crème fraîche
• Unsalted butter

Stir until ingredients meld together seamlessly.

Step 6: Final Touch and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm and luxuriously creamy.

Pro Tip: For extra richness, use fresh Parmesan and high-quality butter.

Tips for Creaminess That Doesn’t Clump

• Boost Flavor with Homemade Stock: Craft your own chicken stock to elevate the polenta's taste. Store-bought versions pale in comparison to the rich, deep flavors of a carefully prepared homemade broth.
• Prevent Lumps with Careful Whisking: Gradually add cornmeal while whisking vigorously. Smooth incorporation guarantees a luxuriously creamy final dish without any unwanted clumps.
• Master Continuous Stirring Technique: Keep your wooden spoon moving constantly during cooking. Scraping the pan's bottom prevents scorching and ensures even heat distribution.
• Season Strategically with Parmesan: Wait until the end to add salt, as Parmesan brings its own saltiness. This approach helps you achieve perfectly balanced flavor without over-salting.
• Serve Polenta Piping Hot: Time is of the essence with this creamy dish. Enjoy immediately to savor its silky texture, and have extra stock on hand to loosen the polenta if it begins to thicken.

Store Polenta That Holds Onto Its Soul

• Freeze: Lock in the polenta's luxurious texture by transferring cooled portions to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and stash away for up to 2 months, ensuring a quick gourmet meal is always within reach. Pro tip: Divide into individual serving sizes for effortless defrosting and reheating.
• Refrigerate: Store leftover polenta in an airtight container after letting it cool completely. Keep chilled for up to 3 days, ready to revive with a splash of chicken stock or water. Stirring gently will help restore its original creamy consistency.
• Reheat: Breathe new life into leftover polenta by microwaving in short bursts. Place in a microwave-safe dish, add a touch of liquid, and cover.

Parmesan Mix-Ins That Elevate the Flavor

• Spicy Southwestern Polenta: Replace Parmesan with pepper jack cheese and add diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Polenta: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Truffle Mushroom Polenta: Stir in sautéed wild mushrooms, drizzle with truffle oil, and sprinkle with fresh thyme to create a luxurious, earthy variation that elevates the classic recipe.
• Roasted Vegetable Polenta: Mix in roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and caramelized onions, then top with goat cheese for a colorful and nutritious vegetarian option.

A Cheesy Farewell in Every Bite

Creamy Parmesan Polenta emerges as culinary comfort waiting to grace dinner tables worldwide.

Italian roots shine through each luxurious spoonful of this classic dish.

Rich Parmesan melts seamlessly into silky cornmeal, creating Mediterranean magic in moments.

Hearty ingredients collaborate to produce restaurant-quality results without complex techniques.

Home chefs can master this sophisticated side dish with simple pantry staples and minimal effort.

Polenta promises delectable satisfaction – scroll down, share kitchen inspiration, spark conversation among passionate cooks, and let deliciousness speak volumes.

Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s creamy parmesan polenta delivers Italian comfort with rich, silky goodness. Cheese-infused cornmeal promises a luxurious side dish that brings warmth and elegance to dinner tables, inviting you to savor each remarkable spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• ¼ cup crème fraîche
• 2 tablespoons (¼ stick) unsalted butter

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal, preferably stone-ground
• 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade (recipe follows)

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)

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Instructions

1. In a spacious saucepan, combine 1 litre () of chicken stock with 2 minced garlic cloves, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce the flame to medium-low and gradually introduce 150 grams () of yellow cornmeal, using a whisk to incorporate smoothly and prevent any clumping.
3. Switch to a sturdy wooden spoon and fold in of kosher salt and of freshly ground black pepper, maintaining a gentle simmer.
4. Continue stirring consistently for approximately 10 minutes, carefully scraping the pan’s bottom to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
5. Remove the saucepan from direct heat and gently fold in 100 grams () of grated Parmesan cheese, creating a creamy texture.
6. Incorporate 60 millilitres (¼ cup) of crème fraîche and 30 grams () of unsalted butter, stirring until the mixture becomes luxuriously smooth and glossy.
7. Taste the polenta and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
8. Transfer to a serving dish immediately, garnishing with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Elevate your stock choice by crafting homemade chicken broth for unparalleled depth and richness that supermarket alternatives can’t deliver.
• Prevent stubborn lumps by gradually incorporating cornmeal with a steady, patient whisking technique that guarantees silky smoothness.
• Maintain constant movement while cooking, using a wooden spoon to scrape pan bottoms and prevent dreaded burning or sticking scenarios.
• Reserve seasoning adjustments for the final moments, understanding Parmesan’s inherent saltiness can dramatically impact overall flavor balance.
• Embrace immediate serving as your golden rule, recognizing polenta’s quick transformation from creamy to dense; keep additional stock nearby to restore luxurious texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 0.2g
• Sodium: 897.2mg
• Fat: 8.4g
• Saturated Fat: 5.0g
• Carbohydrates: 31.7g
• Fiber: 0.6g
• Protein: 10.4g
• Cholesterol: 20.9mg