Grilled Polenta Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

Grilled Polenta Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes

Watch how to make Grilled Polenta with Tomato Sauce or Fresh Tomatoes

This recipe explains how to make creamy polenta, chill it until firm, then grill or pan-sear the slices and top them with fresh tomatoes and basil. You can also serve the grilled polenta with a warm tomato sauce. The method is simple, pantry-friendly, and perfect as an Italian-style side dish or a light vegetarian main.

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Polenta—An Easy Side Dish

Polenta has long been a staple in Northern Italian cooking and is often served where mashed potatoes might appear in other cuisines. It’s comforting, versatile, and straightforward to prepare. Basic polenta becomes especially appealing when you let it set, slice it, and grill or sauté the pieces until they are crisp on the outside and soft inside.

I grew up with polenta on the table—my mother made it often—and grilling the set polenta into golden rectangles was one of my favorite ways to enjoy it. Topping grilled polenta with fresh tomatoes and basil brings a bright, summer flavor, while a slow-simmered tomato sauce makes it a cozy option for cooler days.

All It Takes Is a Simple Chilling Step

To make grilled polenta, cook the cornmeal in seasoned broth until creamy, then pour it into a greased baking pan and chill. As it cools it firms up, making it easy to slice. Once chilled, you can grill the pieces on a hot grill pan or crisp them in a skillet with a little oil or butter. The chilling step is the only extra bit of work beyond making a standard polenta, but it transforms the texture and presentation.

Serve the grilled polenta with fresh tomatoes and basil for a light, summery plate, or ladle warm tomato sauce over the slices in colder months. You can also top grilled polenta with sautéed mushrooms, grated cheese, or a drizzle of good olive oil.

Watch Related Videos

If you enjoy this grilled polenta recipe, try other pantry-friendly recipes and traditional dishes featured in the same video series. The techniques used for polenta—simple ingredients, careful seasoning, and straightforward cooking—translate well to many classic recipes.

Pantry Meal Videos

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Northern Italian Recipe Video

For another Northern Italian favorite, try a hearty chickpea and pork rib soup—a traditional dish that highlights simple ingredients and slow, flavorful cooking.

Chickpea and Pork Rib Soup Recipe – A Northern Italian Tradition

Kitchen Scraps and Gardening Videos

If you’re interested in using garden produce or regrowing kitchen scraps, there are helpful videos and guides that show how to create a recurring harvest and use fresh ingredients all season long.

Regrowing vegetables from kitchen scraps

10 Vegetables You Can Regrow from Kitchen Scraps to Create a Recurring Harvest

Grilled Polenta

Cook:
20 mins

Chilling Time:
1 hr

Total:
1 hr 20 mins

Yield:
4 servings

Author:
Mary Bryant Shrader

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Enjoy this tasty Northern Italian classic.

Equipment

Large saucepan
9″ x 9″ baking dish (or similar)

Ingredients

3 cups chicken broth (or water/vegetable broth)
1/4 cup olive oil (or butter/ghee)
1 tsp salt
1 cup cornmeal, medium or coarse (polenta grind if available)

Instructions

In a saucepan, combine the broth, olive oil, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil.
Slowly whisk in the cornmeal, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to medium-high and stir frequently until the mixture thickens and resembles mashed potatoes, about 15–20 minutes.
Remove from heat and spread the polenta evenly into a greased 9″ x 9″ baking dish. Smooth the surface, then refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
When chilled, turn the polenta out of the dish and slice into 12 rectangles.
Heat a well-greased grill pan or skillet until hot. Grill or sauté the polenta rectangles 1–2 minutes per side, until golden and crisp. Transfer to a serving plate and top with fresh tomatoes and basil, or spoon warm tomato sauce over them.
Optional: If not grilling, add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil to a skillet and sauté the pieces until golden on both sides. Serve with desired toppings.

Video

Notes

Find this recipe and video at the original post on Mary’s Nest.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Creamy Polenta, Grilled Polenta, Italian Side Dish, Polenta

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