Dinner ideas

43 polenta recipes for dinner or dessert

There's so much more you can do with this flour besides chips.
ricotta, blueberry and polenta cake

Polenta is a naturally gluten-free flour made from corn, and it’s an extremely versatile ingredient for many recipes for both savoury and sweet dishes. It’s commonly served soft as a base for casseroles and stews, but it can be also be grilled and tossed through salads or eaten in place of bread. Try frying in into crunchy chips, or use it to make crusts for lasagnes and pies. You can also add it to cakes, tarts, muffins and biscuits for a tummy-friendly dessert or lunchbox snack. Let’s get cooking!

soft polenta

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Soft polenta

Soft polenta

Creamy, cheesy polenta is a side dish that goes great with all kinds of meats and sauces.

OSSO BUCCO WITH POLENTA CRUST

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Osso buco with polenta crust

Osso buco with polenta crust

Ossobuco is a Milanese speciality of veal shanks braised with vegetables and white wine topped with a polenta crust.

chilli cheese polenta with bean and avocado salsa

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Chilli cheese polenta with bean and avocado salsa

Chilli cheese polenta with bean and avocado salsa

beef pies with polenta tops

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Beef pies with polenta tops

Beef pies with polenta tops

Delight the family with these moreish beef pies with cheesy polenta and potato toppings.

tomato-braised lamb shanks with creamy polenta

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Tomato-braised lamb shanks with creamy polenta

Tomato-braised lamb shanks with creamy polenta

Heavely succulent braised lamb shanks with creamy polenta – dinner is sorted! Warm up the family with this deliciously satisfying and comforting dish!

Beef ragu with grilled polenta

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Beef ragu with grilled polenta

Beef ragu with grilled polenta

Served over crispy grilled polenta, this rich beef ragu is comforting and perfect for the cooler weather.

olive polenta

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Olive polenta

Olive polenta

cheesy pumpkin polenta

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Cheesy pumpkin polenta

Cheesy pumpkin polenta

Polenta Gnocchi Pie

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Polenta gnocchi pie

Polenta gnocchi pie

Crispy Polenta, tomato and rocket salad

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Crispy polenta, tomato and rocket salad

Crispy polenta, tomato and rocket salad

Packed full of cripsy golden polenta cubes, fresh tomato, creamy goat’s cheese and fresh mixed greens, this beautiful salad is brilliant served warm and enjoyed as a light meal for lunch or dinner.

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Meatballs with polenta

Meatballs with polenta

Put a healthy twist on Italian classics for comfort food at its best.

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Mini polenta and raspberry cakes

Mini polenta and raspberry cakes

These delicate fruity cakes combine the citrus of orange rind with the sweetness of raspberries.

Chicken with Brandy and Grapes on Soft Polenta

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Chicken with brandy and grapes on soft polenta

Chicken with brandy and grapes on soft polenta

Enjoy this brandy sauce as it soaks from the juicy chicken into the smooth bed of polenta underneath.

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Supergreens salad with polenta croutons

Supergreens salad with polenta croutons

Lighten up your next barbecue with this deliciously fresh supergreens salad. Served with polenta croutons for a gluten-free alternative, it is healthy, quick to prepare, and oh-so-tasty!

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Vegetable stew with polenta dumplings

Vegetable stew with polenta dumplings

Looking for a twist on the classic winter stew? Get creative in the kitchen with this hearty vegetable stew with delicious polenta dumplings.

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Sausages and capsicum with soft polenta

Sausages and capsicum with soft polenta

Warm up on the cooler nights with this delicious and comforting sausage and capsicum with soft polenta dish – flavoursome and nourishing!

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Polenta and ricotta cake with rosemary lemon syrup

Polenta and ricotta cake with rosemary lemon syrup

Looking for a cake with wow factor? Soaked in deliciously sweet lemon and rosemary syrup and served with whipped ricotta, this polenta cake is sure to impress.

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Fish schnitzel butties with polenta chips

Fish schnitzel butties with polenta chips

A fresh take on the classic fish burger. Served with polenta chips and zucchini tzatziki to make it that little bit special.

Soft polenta with mushroom ragu

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Soft polenta with mushroom ragu

Soft polenta with mushroom ragu

A mix of mushrooms creates this tender, rich stew served on top of soft, creamy polenta for an earthy, warming vegetarian dish.

cheesy pesto polenta

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Cheesy pesto polenta

Cheesy pesto polenta

Cornbread

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Cheesy cornbread

Cheesy cornbread

Made with polenta and corn kernels, this cheesy yeast-free bread makes a great side for a rich chilli but is just as good on it’s own (or buttered).

Vegan shepherds pie recipe

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Vegan “shepherdless” pie

Vegan “shepherdless” pie

Who needs lamb when you have lentils, mushrooms, a rainbow of other tasty vegetables and a pillowy polenta crust?

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Slow-roasted lamb leg with fetta and almonds

Slow-roasted lamb leg with fetta and almonds

polenta-coated chicken

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Polenta-coated chicken

Polenta-coated chicken

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Lemon and zucchini polenta cake

Lemon and zucchini polenta cake

A nonna’s favourite made healthier with the addition of zucchini – and it’s gluten-free to boot!

char-grilled polenta strips with corn salsa

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Chargrilled polenta strips with corn salsa

Chargrilled polenta strips with corn salsa.

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Raspberry, polenta and pink peppercorn scrolls

Raspberry, polenta and pink peppercorn scrolls.

ricotta, blueberry and polenta cake

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Ricotta, polenta & blueberry cake

Ricotta, polenta & blueberry cake

A gorgeous golden cake made with polenta, ricotta and dark blueberries running though it.

polenta, blue cheese     and fig tarts

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Polenta, blue cheese and fig tarts

Polenta, blue cheese and fig tarts.

Photography by Ian Wallace. Food styling by Yael Grinham

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Chocolate orange polenta cake

Moist, dense and dripping with syrup, this chocolate orange polenta cake is a very grown-up way to recapture a childhood love for jaffa cakes.

POACHED PEAR AND POLENTA TART

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Poached pear and polenta tart

Poached pear and polenta tart.

Plum and lemon POLENTA CAKE

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Plum and lemon polenta cake

Plum and lemon polenta cake.

Upside-down mandarin polenta YOGHURT CAKE

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Upside-down mandarin polenta yoghurt cake

Upside-down mandarin polenta yoghurt cake.

Crispy Polenta, tomato and rocket salad

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Crispy polenta, tomato and rocket salad

Crispy polenta, tomato and rocket salad.

rocket polenta wedges

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Rocket polenta wedges

Rocket polenta wedges

pot-roast beef with anchovies, chilli and soft polenta

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Pot-roast beef with anchovies, chilli and soft polenta

Pot-roast beef with anchovies, chilli and soft polenta.

poached eggs with truffle polenta and salsa verde

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Poached eggs with truffle polenta and salsa verde

Poached eggs with truffle polenta and salsa verde.

CHICKEN & TARRAGON PIE WITH POLENTA CRUST

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Chicken and tarragon pie with polenta crust

Chicken and tarragon pie with polenta crust.

Photography by Ian Wallace. Food styling by Yael Grinham

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Chocolate orange polenta cake

Chocolate orange polenta cake.

Lemon Polenta Cake with Lemon Compote

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Lemon polenta cake with lemon compote

Lemon polenta cake with lemon compote.

Photographer: Teny Aghamalian, Stylist: Louise Bickle

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Polenta, pancetta and cheese muffins

Polenta, pancetta and cheese muffins.

Mandarin POLENTA BISCUITS

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Mandarin polenta biscuits

Mandarin polenta biscuits.

polenta fig cake

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Polenta fig cake

Polenta fig cake

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