Herb Baked Polenta with Parmesan

Elevate your comfort food game with this Herb Baked Polenta with Parmesan—an irresistible combination of creamy polenta, fragrant fresh herbs, and a crispy, golden Parmesan crust. Made with simple pantry staples like coarse cornmeal, butter, and olive oil, this recipe is infused with the bold flavors of parsley, thyme, and optional garlic powder, offering a savory twist perfect for any meal. The polenta is first cooked to silky perfection before being baked to achieve a satisfyingly crunchy top layer, making it a versatile dish that can shine as a hearty side or a vegetarian main course. Ready in under an hour and beautifully seasoned, this easy-to-make recipe is guaranteed to impress with its rustic, yet refined charm. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as an elegant addition to your holiday table, this baked polenta is gluten-free, comforting, and utterly delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Polenta (coarse cornmeal)
• 4 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Garlic powder (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet with olive oil.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the salt, then gradually whisk in the polenta to prevent clumping.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring the polenta frequently for about 15-20 minutes, or until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Step 4

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in butter, half of the grated Parmesan (1/4 cup), and the fresh herbs (parsley and thyme). Mix well to combine.

Step 5

Carefully pour the polenta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly using a spatula.

Step 6

Drizzle the surface with olive oil, then evenly sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top. Optionally, add a light dusting of black pepper and garlic powder for extra flavor.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 8

Remove the dish from the oven and let the baked polenta cool for 5-10 minutes to set.

Step 9

Cut into squares or wedges and serve warm as a side dish or main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1298.6 grams (1298.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1391

Total Fat 52.70g	68%
Saturated Fat 23.40g	117%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 106mg	35%
Sodium 3223mg	140%
Total Carbohydrate 191.50g	70%
Dietary Fiber 10.00g	36%
Total Sugars 1.70g
Protein 35.90g	72%

Vitamin D 5IU	23%
Calcium 543mg	42%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 277mg	6%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.3%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 55.4%