Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Italian Polenta with Sausage is a hearty, comforting dish rooted in traditional Italian home cooking. Creamy polenta provides a soft, rich base, while savory sausage adds depth, spice, and satisfying texture. Together, they create a meal that feels rustic, warming, and deeply nourishing without being complicated. It is the kind of dish that is perfect for cooler evenings, relaxed family dinners, or whenever you crave something filling and flavorful.
What makes this recipe especially appealing is its versatility. Polenta can be served soft and creamy or allowed to set and sliced, while the sausage mixture can be adjusted to suit your taste. I tested this recipe with both mild and spicy Italian sausage, and the spicy version added a wonderful contrast to the creamy polenta. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and comforting texture make this a dependable recipe you will return to often.
Italian Polenta with Sausage: A Rustic, Comforting One-Bowl Meal
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Halal
Description
Italian Polenta with Sausage is a warm, rustic dish featuring creamy polenta topped with savory Italian sausage cooked in a rich tomato and herb sauce—classic, comforting, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
-
- For the Polenta:
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal (polenta)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- For the Sausage Sauce:
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casing removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add salt.
- Slowly whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Stir in butter and Parmesan cheese; keep warm.
- In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned. Break into crumbles.
- Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 10–15 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Serve creamy polenta in bowls and top with sausage sauce.
- Garnish with basil or parsley.
Notes
- Use half water and half milk for extra-creamy polenta.
- Try spicy Italian sausage for deeper flavor.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or peppers to the sauce for more texture.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Polenta (cornmeal) is the foundation of the dish, creating a creamy, comforting base when cooked slowly and stirred properly.
Italian sausage provides bold, savory flavor and richness. Pork sausage works best, though chicken sausage is a lighter alternative.
Onion adds sweetness and depth, forming the base of the sausage sauce.
Garlic enhances the dish with aromatic warmth and balances the richness of the sausage.
Crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce add acidity and moisture, creating a light sauce that complements the polenta.
Chicken or beef broth adds flavor to both the polenta and the sausage mixture.
Parmesan cheese enriches the polenta, adding saltiness and a smooth, creamy finish.
Olive oil helps sauté the sausage and vegetables while adding subtle richness.
Italian seasoning brings herbal notes that tie the flavors together.
Salt and black pepper balance and sharpen all the ingredients.
Directions
Begin by preparing the polenta. Bring the broth to a gentle boil in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta, reducing the heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy. Stir in Parmesan cheese, season with salt and black pepper, and keep warm.
While the polenta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces as it cooks. Remove excess fat if necessary.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken slightly.
To serve, spoon creamy polenta into bowls and top generously with the sausage mixture. Finish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Equipment needed :
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
Full-Size Blender – is a powerful kitchen appliance for making smoothies, soups, and sauces in large batches.
3-in-1 Air Fryer – This versatile 3-in-1 air fryer offers Air Fry for healthier meals with less oil, Bake for bakery-quality desserts and treats, and Reheat to bring leftovers back to life with crispy, flavorful results.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves four people. Preparation takes about 10 minutes, with a cooking time of approximately 30 minutes, making it suitable for weeknight dinners.
Storage/reheating
Store leftover polenta and sausage separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat polenta gently with a splash of broth or water to restore creaminess. Reheat sausage on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Variations and Customizations
Italian Polenta with Sausage is easy to adapt. For added vegetables, stir sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers into the sausage mixture.
You can also customize the polenta itself. Adding butter or cream creates an extra-rich texture, while using water instead of broth produces a lighter base.
For a baked version, spread polenta in a dish, top with sausage and cheese, and bake until bubbly. You can also substitute marinara sauce for crushed tomatoes for a smoother finish. These options allow flexibility while keeping the dish comforting and satisfying.
Nutrition and Dietary Info
Italian Polenta with Sausage is a filling dish that provides carbohydrates, protein, and fats in a balanced way. It contains dairy and is naturally gluten-free, depending on the sausage used.
Expert Tips & Customizations
Polenta Texture
Stir frequently to prevent lumps and sticking.
Sausage Choice
Spicy sausage adds contrast to creamy polenta.
Flavor Development
Simmer sauce gently for deeper flavor.
Serving Option
Serve polenta soft or let it set and slice.
FAQs
Is polenta the same as cornmeal?
Polenta is made from coarsely ground cornmeal.
Can I make polenta ahead of time?
Yes, reheat with added liquid to restore texture.
What sausage works best?
Italian pork sausage, mild or spicy, is ideal.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, replace sausage with mushrooms or lentils.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, naturally gluten-free when using gluten-free sausage.
Can I bake this dish?
Yes, it works well as a baked casserole.
How do I keep polenta creamy?
Add liquid and stir while reheating.
Can I freeze polenta?
Freezing is not recommended for creamy texture.
What cheese works besides Parmesan?
Pecorino Romano or Asiago are good alternatives.
What should I serve with this?
A green salad or roasted vegetables pair well.
Conclusion
Italian Polenta with Sausage is a comforting, rustic dish that brings simple ingredients together in a deeply satisfying way. Creamy polenta and savory sausage create a perfect balance of texture and flavor, making this recipe ideal for cozy dinners and casual gatherings. Easy to prepare and endlessly adaptable, it is a classic meal that never feels outdated and always delivers warmth and comfort at the table.
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