Creamy baked polenta topped with garlicky mushrooms
Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms
Creamy baked polenta topped with garlicky mushrooms
A rustic Italian-style dinner of baked polenta with mushrooms, garlic, and herbs that works as a vegetarian main.
15m
Prep Time
35m
Cook Time
50m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Polenta makes a good weeknight base because it feels comforting and flexible without requiring much from the pantry. Mushrooms and herbs give it enough savoriness to stand on its own.
Ingredients
- 1 cup polenta
- 4 cups stock or water
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Parmesan and parsley for serving
Instructions
- 1
Cook the polenta until thick, then spread it into a baking dish.
- 2
Bake until lightly set on top.
- 3
Meanwhile, saute the mushrooms and garlic until browned.
- 4
Spoon the mushrooms over the baked polenta and finish with parsley and Parmesan.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Olive Oil
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the olive oil matters
On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.
This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.
- Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
- Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure
A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.
Shop olive oil for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Instant polenta works fine if you need the recipe to move faster.
A little cream stirred into the polenta makes it richer if you want that.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 serving) · 4 servings
Calories260
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein7g
Carbohydrates29g
Fat13g
Fiber3g
Sugar2g
Sodium340mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead?
- Yes. The components or finished dish hold well if properly chilled and stored.
- Can I adjust the seasoning?
- Yes. Taste near the end and adjust salt, acid, or heat so it suits the way you like to cook and eat.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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