Grab A Plate

Make each meal memorable

subscribe SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL
info
You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of emails you receive.
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Gluten Free
    • Lunch
    • Snacks
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
  • Out & About
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free eCookbook

Meatless Monday: Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions

February 2, 2015 By Patricia 22 Comments

This vegetarian dish, Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions, is filling and delicious

This Meatless Monday recipe for Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions is comfort food, pure and simple. This Italian favorite is a simple, filling meal that is big on flavor and color.

Serve this vegetarian dish of Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions for a delightful meal

You may think pasta, pasta, and more pasta when you think of Italian food, but did you know that polenta is an Italian classic? In some areas of the country, polenta – not pasta – was the mainstay food. Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions is super-simple to make, and it makes a filling dish on a Meatless Monday. For a tasty polenta appetizer, check out my recipe for Polenta Cakes with Goat Cheese and Kale Pesto. Polenta, which is naturally gluten free, is made from yellow or white cornmeal, and it makes a nice alternative to pasta, potatoes, and main-dish meats.

Dig in to a gluten-free, vegetarian meal of Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions

I’ve made this dish extra tasty by including heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions is rich, satisfying, and gets extra flavor and color from sautéed peppers and onions in tomato sauce.

There are many benefits to going meatless at least once a week. One that just about anyone can get behind? It can help reduce your weekly budget. What’s not to love about that! There are also many ways you can serve polenta: you can eat it for any meal of the day, and it can be baked, grilled, and even fried. I love its versatility.

I think you’ll enjoy this rustic, colorful and classic Italian meal, any day of the week.

Recipe for Creamy Polenta with Peppers and Onions
Serves 6


INGREDIENTS

For the Peppers and Onions

 
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 bell peppers, seeds and membrane removed, cut into thin strips
  • 1 yellow onion, cut into thin strips
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
  • 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes in juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
 

For the Polenta

 
  • 5 cups water
  • 2 cups yellow cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Peppers and Onions

 
  1. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the onion and cook for a few minutes before adding the peppers.
  2. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the peppers and onions have softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so.
  3. Add the tomatoes and juice and cook for another 5 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
  4. Remove from the heat, cover, and set aside.
 

For the Polenta

 
  1. Bring the water and salt to boil. Add the cornmeal, a little at a time.
  2. Reduce the heat to simmer, stir often to keep the cornmeal from sticking, and cook until very thick (15-20 minutes).
  3. Remove from the heat then stir in the cream and Parmesan cheese until incorporated.
  4. Serve the polenta warm in individual bowls with a heaping serving of the peppers and onion in sauce over the top.
 

Serves 6

Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten Free, Lunch, Recipes, Vegetarian

« Ramen and Veggies in Orange-chili Sauce
Tortilla-Crusted Zucchini Fries with Spicy Red Pepper Dip »
Subscribe
subscribe
Share your email & I will send you new recipes!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Comments

  1. Susie Gall says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Yum! Sounds amazing, Patricia.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks so much, Susie!
      Reply
  2. peter @feedyoursoultoo says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    I just love polenta. But it seems like I cannot find others to cook it for that also enjoy it. I like the texture and color added with the peppers.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:24 pm

      Maybe try it as a breakfast dish (minus the peppers and onions!)? So many options! Thanks, Peter!
      Reply
  3. Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    This looks like a recipe I'd love! We eat alot of meatless meals at our house! Delicious!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Sheena! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you try this and enjoy!
      Reply
  4. Linda says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    I have grown to love polenta. This dish looks very comforting! I'll make it for my daughter who is a vegetarian.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Linda! Hope you and your daughter enjoy the recipe!
      Reply
  5. Joanie @ ZagLeft says

    February 2, 2015 at 3:34 pm

    I've never cooked polenta before but this recipe looks and sounds so good, I'm going to give it a try.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      Hi Joanie! Hope you give it a try and enjoy it -- it's so easy, too!
      Reply
  6. Cookin Canuck says

    February 2, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    We adore polenta here, but I don't make it often enough. I love the idea of adding flavor and color with the peppers and onions.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:27 pm

      Hi Dara - It's good to hear from another polenta lover! Hope you give this a try and enjoy it!
      Reply
  7. Kelley says

    February 2, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    This looks amazing! I have yet to try polenta, which is horrible considering I am part Italian! Shhh.. lol.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      Hi Kelley! Well here is your chance to give polenta a try! Hope you do, and enjoy it!
      Reply
  8. Nicole Neverman says

    February 2, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    This sounds like such a deliciously warm and comforting meal. The polenta looks so creamy and delicious and the peppers and onions sound amazing!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 3, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks so much, Nicole! This is definitely a favorite comfort dish for me!
      Reply
  9. Nutmeg Nanny says

    February 4, 2015 at 5:42 am

    This is such a great meatless meal. Love all the flavor you packed into this dish!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 4, 2015 at 7:14 pm

      Thanks! It's perfect for the winter months!
      Reply
  10. Yvonne says

    February 5, 2015 at 1:52 am

    Polenta...adore! My mother made cornmeal for me when I was young. I could have licked the plate, that's how much it satisfied. While on a tour of Italy one summer, a local family-owned restaurant served it in shallow wooden platters, carried it up to our table as though they were bringing trays of silver & gold from the kitchen below, Fond memories, great taste.
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 6, 2015 at 5:25 am

      Sounds like you have a few great memories! I remember how much my dad loved it, too! Always a treat!
      Reply
  11. Connie | URBAN BAKES says

    February 7, 2015 at 6:23 am

    I've actually never had polenta but yours looks and sounds great! I'll have to try this sometime!
    Reply
    • Patricia says

      February 7, 2015 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks, Connie! I hope you give it a try soon and enjoy it!
      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


I'm Patricia

Welcome to Grab a Plate!

Growing up surrounded by my Italian family it was always, "grab a plate" whenever anyone came to visit. Food was always a celebration, even everyday meals, and I like it that way. I try to make each meal memorable with my recipes for mainly meatless, mostly healthy, and easy-to-make dishes (with sweet treats in between).

Learn More...

Search

Subscribe
subscribe
Share your email & I will
send you new recipes!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Featured On

See More >>

featured posts

A bowl of Broccoli and Bean Soup with Lemon is ideal on a busy night, especially when the weather turns chilly.

Broccoli and Bean Soup with Lemon

Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats with Roasted Vegetables is a fun and easy-to-make meal!

Oktoberfest Sheet Pan Brats with Roasted Vegetables

Queen Elizabeth II’s Drop Scones (Scottish Pancakes) topped with fresh fruit and syrup makes an amazing breakfast or breakfast-for-dinner!

Queen Elizabeth II’s Drop Scones (Scottish Pancakes)

Copyright © 2013 - 2020 Grab A Plate · Logo by Response Creative · Disclosure and Privacy Policies