Whip Up Ina Garten’s Heavenly Parmesan Polenta Recipe Today

Comfort meets elegance in this delightful Parmesan polenta by Ina Garten that melts in your mouth with rich, velvety texture.

Smooth cornmeal simmered to perfection promises a luxurious side dish that elevates any meal.

The creamy base gets its depth from high-quality Parmesan cheese, creating a restaurant-worthy experience right in your kitchen.

Garten’s masterful technique ensures each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of silky smoothness and robust flavor.

This recipe turns a simple ingredient into a culinary marvel that will have everyone asking for seconds.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can craft a dish that feels both indulgent and comforting.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary dining experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

Everything You Need for Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta

• Chicken Stock: Provides rich, savory foundation that elevates the polenta's depth of flavor, choose low-sodium for better control of saltiness.
• Garlic: Infuses aromatic warmth and complexity, select fresh garlic cloves for most vibrant taste.

• Yellow Cornmeal: Creates creamy, smooth texture and serves as primary base, opt for stone-ground varieties for more authentic, rustic feel.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, ensures balanced taste throughout the dish.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic dimension, freshly ground provides more intense flavor profile.

• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers nutty, sharp taste and luxurious richness, choose high-quality aged Parmigiano-Reggiano for best results.
• Crème Fraîche: Introduces silky, tangy smoothness, select authentic French-style for most authentic texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides additional richness and glossy finish, use European-style butter for deeper flavor complexity.

Tools to Make Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta

• Large Saucepan: Essential for boiling stock and cooking polenta, with enough space to stir and prevent sticking.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring polenta without scratching the pan bottom and maintaining smooth texture.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly incorporating cornmeal and preventing lumps during initial mixing.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring ingredients like cornmeal, stock, and seasonings.
• Grater: Needed to grate fresh Parmesan cheese for maximum flavor and smooth melting.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing garlic and grating cheese.
• Sharp Knife: Required for mincing garlic precisely.

Cooking Guide for Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta

• Stock Foundation

Gather chicken stock and fresh garlic in a spacious cooking vessel. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, allowing aromatic flavors to develop and merge.

• Cornmeal Introduction

Gently lower heat and carefully integrate cornmeal into the bubbling liquid. Whisk smoothly to ensure silky texture without pesky lumps developing.

• Flavor Enhancement

Incorporate robust seasonings like salt and pepper. Let mixture simmer, stirring consistently to prevent scorching and create luxurious consistency.

• Creamy Transformation

Remove pan from heat source. Fold in rich Parmesan, velvety crème fraîche, and smooth butter. Stir until ingredients meld into a luscious, glossy mixture.

• Elegant Presentation

Taste and adjust seasoning to personal preference. Serve immediately, sprinkling extra Parmesan on top for a delightful finishing touch. The result: a cloud-like, comforting side dish that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Flavor Enhancements for Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta

• Replace chicken stock with vegetable or mushroom stock for a unique, earthy flavor profile that transforms the dish's overall taste.
• Experiment with pecorino, gruyère, or fontina cheese instead of Parmesan to create different depth and richness in your polenta.
• Fold in fresh chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil during the final mixing stage to elevate the aromatic complexity of the dish.
• Add roasted corn kernels or sautéed diced pancetta for extra texture and a delightful crunch that complements the creamy base.
• Store leftover polenta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat gently with a splash of additional stock to restore its creamy consistency.

How to Serve Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta Like a Pro

• Pair with Braised Proteins: Top the creamy polenta with slow-cooked short ribs, tender braised lamb shanks, or rich osso buco for a luxurious main course that merges comfort and elegance.
• Elevate with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or chives over the polenta to add brightness, color, and a subtle aromatic layer that cuts through the richness.
• Create Vegetable Companions: Serve alongside roasted seasonal vegetables like caramelized Brussels sprouts, honey-glazed carrots, or grilled asparagus to balance the creamy texture with fresh, vibrant flavors.
• Transform into Breakfast Base: Use leftover polenta as a hearty morning foundation by topping with a poached egg, crispy bacon, and a drizzle of olive oil for a satisfying breakfast twist.

Save & Reheat Ina Garten Creamy Parmesan Polenta Properly

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover polenta to an airtight container, ensuring it cools to room temperature before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Keep the polenta in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, maintaining its creamy texture and flavor integrity.
• Reheat with Care: Revive cold polenta by adding a splash of chicken stock or milk while gently warming in a saucepan, stirring continuously to restore its smooth consistency.
• Freeze for Later: Pour cooled polenta into a freezer-safe container, covering tightly, and store for up to 3 months – perfect for make-ahead meal planning.

Velvety Parmesan Polenta Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s creamy parmesan polenta brings Italian comfort to kitchen counters with rich, cheesy goodness. Luxurious cornmeal melts into a silky side dish you’ll crave alongside roasted meats or hearty vegetable medleys.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade)
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal (preferably stone-ground)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 2 tbsps (¼ stick) unsalted butter
• ¼ cup crème fraîche
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsps minced garlic (2 cloves)

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Liquid Preparation: Ignite chicken stock with minced garlic in a spacious saucepan, escalating to a robust boil over medium-high heat.
2. Cornmeal Integration: Gradually cascade yellow cornmeal into simmering liquid, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential lumps and create a silky foundation.
3. Seasoning Infusion: Introduce kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, transitioning to a wooden spoon for continuous stirring and preventing potential scorching.
4. Texture Development: Maintain consistent stirring for approximately 10 minutes, ensuring the polenta transforms into a creamy, luxurious consistency while carefully monitoring bottom-of-pan contact.
5. Cheese and Cream Enhancement: Extract pan from heat, gently folding in Parmesan cheese, crème fraîche, and unsalted butter until the mixture achieves a glossy, decadent texture.
6. Final Refinement: Sample and calibrate seasoning, introducing additional salt and pepper as necessary to balance flavor nuances.
7. Presentation: Swiftly transfer to serving vessel, crowning with an elegant Parmesan cheese sprinkle for visual and gustatory sophistication.

Notes

• Prevent Lumps: Whisk cornmeal gradually and consistently to avoid clumping, ensuring a silky smooth texture throughout cooking.
• Constant Stirring Matters: Never leave the polenta unattended; continuous stirring prevents burning and creates even heat distribution.
• Temperature Control: Maintain a gentle simmer after initial boiling to develop rich, creamy consistency without scorching the bottom.
• Quality Ingredients Impact: Use freshly grated Parmesan and high-quality chicken stock for maximum flavor depth and luxurious mouthfeel.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg