Description
This Indulgent Creamy Italian Polenta with Parmesan Delight is a comforting and rich dish featuring smooth, creamy polenta cooked to perfection and enriched with butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enhanced with sautéed vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms and topped with fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil, this recipe delivers a satisfying and flavorful Italian-inspired meal perfect as a side dish or a base for various toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Polenta Base
- 1 cup Instant Polenta (for quicker cooking)
- 4 cups Water or Vegetable Broth (use vegetable broth for extra flavor)
- 1 pinch Salt (adjust to taste)
Enrichments
- 2 tablespoons Butter (can be substituted with olive oil for dairy-free option)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated for best melt and flavor)
Toppings and Garnishes
- Fresh Herbs (Basil or Parsley, chopped finely to sprinkle on top)
- Sautéed Vegetables (Zucchini or Mushrooms, sauté until tender)
- Olive Oil (drizzle on top for extra indulgence)
Instructions
- Prepare the Liquid: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water or vegetable broth to a gentle boil. Adding broth enhances the flavor of the polenta, but water works well too.
- Cook the Polenta: Gradually whisk in the instant polenta to the boiling liquid to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes until the polenta thickens and becomes creamy.
- Season and Enrich: Stir in a pinch of salt to taste and 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil until melted and fully incorporated, making the polenta luxuriously creamy.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Remove the polenta from heat and stir in 1 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and blended smoothly, adding rich depth of flavor.
- Prepare the Toppings: While the polenta is cooking, sauté zucchini or mushrooms in a little olive oil over medium heat until tender and lightly caramelized, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon the creamy polenta onto plates, top with sautéed vegetables, sprinkle with finely chopped fresh basil or parsley, and finish with a light drizzle of olive oil for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use instant polenta for quick and easy preparation; traditional polenta requires longer cooking.
- Substitute butter with olive oil to make this dish dairy-free.
- Adding vegetable broth instead of water adds more depth to the flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and provides superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Feel free to experiment with other sautéed vegetables such as bell peppers or spinach.
