Polenta with Italian Sausage
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Polenta with Italian Sausage, a hearty dish that beautifully combines creamy Parmesan-infused polenta with a robust sausage and tomato sauce. This recipe starts with slow-cooked coarse cornmeal, yielding a velvety texture enhanced by butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The savory sauce features browned Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, sweet onions, and zesty Italian seasoning, all simmered together with crushed tomatoes and hints of red pepper flakes for a well-rounded, slightly spicy kick. Fresh basil adds a vibrant finish to this crowd-pleasing meal, perfect for cozy dinners or casual gatherings. Serve it piping hot with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for the ultimate comfort food experience. Keywords: creamy polenta, Italian sausage recipe, hearty comfort food, tomato basil sauce, weeknight dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup coarse cornmeal (polenta)
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 1 whole yellow onion, diced
- 3 whole garlic cloves, minced
- 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons salt (for seasoning sauce)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.
Gradually whisk in the polenta to avoid lumps. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook while stirring frequently for 25-30 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and becomes creamy.
Once the polenta is fully cooked, remove it from the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Set aside and keep warm.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and stir in the Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and mix it into the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes until everything is heated through.
Stir in the fresh basil leaves and adjust seasoning if needed.
To serve, spoon the creamy polenta onto plates or shallow bowls and top with the sausage and tomato sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2664 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 150.8 g | 193% | |
| Saturated Fat | 56.7 g | 284% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 369 mg | 123% | |
| Sodium | 7774 mg | 338% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 233.0 g | 85% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.0 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.7 g | ||
| Protein | 104.3 g | 209% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 792 mg | 61% | |
| Iron | 15.4 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 2970 mg | 63% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
