Polenta Pizza Casserole Recipes

SIMPLE POLENTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Start by making the polenta. In a skillet or saucepan on medium to high heat, bring the water and salt to a boil. Then add the polenta, cook for a minute and then turn the heat down to low. Important: use a whisk to constantly mix the cooking ingredients to avoid sticking.
• Once the polenta has somewhat thickened you can cover it and allow it to continue to cook for another 25-30 minutes or until the polenta has become thick and creamy, continuing to whisk as needed.
• While the polenta cooks you can prepare the baking sheet or pizza pan. Prep this sheet or pan with some Parchment Paper that is sprinkled with the additional polenta (about 1 tablespoon should be needed for this).
• Remove the polenta from the stove and stir in any additional seasonings. Then you can transfer the polenta to the prepared baking sheet or pizza pan. The crust should be 1/3-1/2" thick.
• Cover the crust with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to a day. The crust should be firm when removed from the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to make your pizza, remove the pizza crust from the refrigerator. Also, remove the plastic wrap. Preheat your oven to 450. Sprinkle the olive oil over the crust and bake it for 10-12 minutes or until it begins to become crisp and brown around the edges.
• Remove the crust from the oven and top with your desired toppings.
• Return the topped pizza to the oven and bake until done, about 12-15 minutes.

POLENTA PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Cut the polenta log into 9 slices.
• Arrange polenta rounds in an even layer in the bottom of the dish. Spoon marinara sauce over the top, then scatter with oregano and garlic salt. Arrange the peppers and pepperoni over the sauce, then top with the cheese and bake until hot throughout and bubbly, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

POLENTA PIZZA PIE

Steps:

• To prepare the crust, line the sides of two 8-inch round baking pans with strips of parchment paper. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, combine 8 cups water with the cumin; bring to a boil. Add the polenta in a slow stream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Add the flaxseed, turmeric (if using), and salt to taste. Cook over medium-high heat until the mixture starts to bubble. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until the polenta has absorbed all the water and reached a spreadable consistency.
• Divide the polenta evenly between the two prepared pans. Keeping the parchment paper in place, spread the polenta in the pans, making the edges a bit higher than the center. Let cool to room temperature, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The crust can be prepared a couple of days in advance; if refrigerating for more than an hour, cover in plastic wrap.
• While the crust chills, prepare the sauce: Place the tomatoes, onions, garlic, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, oregano, and black pepper in a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, and salt to taste. Cook, uncovered, until the sauce thickens and the water evaporates, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• To prepare the topping, cook the mushrooms in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and the liquid they release is almost completely evaporated, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Remove the polenta crusts from the refrigerator, and let them stand for 20 minutes to bring them to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a saucepan, cook the bell peppers over medium heat until softened and the liquid they release has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add the nutritional yeast, and cook for 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a small plate to cool. Just before use, mix in the chopped basil.
• Spread half the pizza sauce on each crust. Spread the mushrooms and zucchini evenly on top. Sprinkle with the bell pepper and basil mixture. Bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Slice and serve hot. For extra cheesy flavor, sprinkle nutritional yeast on top.

POLENTA PIZZA BITES

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high. Brush the polenta with the olive oil on both sides and place the disks on a broiler pan covered with foil. Broil until the tops begin to turn golden, about 1 minute (watch closely as broiler heat varies).
• Flip the polenta disks over and spread about 1 tablespoon of the marinara sauce on each one, then top with cheese and other toppings (if using). Broil until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 1 more minute. Let cool a few minutes and serve.

STACKED POLENTA AND MUSHROOM CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat 5 cups of the chicken stock in a saucepot to a low boil; add the polenta and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook, stirring and adding more stock as needed to keep the mixture loose, until thickened and soft, 40 to 45 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the butter, pour the polenta onto nonstick baking sheets (1 large or 2 small), spread into a 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick even layer and cool totally. Cut into rectangular shapes to easily remove for layering.
• Cover the dried porcinis with the remaining 1 cup chicken stock and 1/2 cup water in a small pot; bring to a simmer and cook to reconstitute. Remove the tender mushrooms and chop. Reserve the mushrooms and their liquid.
• Heat the EVOO in a large, deep skillet. Add the fresh mushrooms and cook until dark and tender, about 15 minutes. Add the thyme and shallots, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze the skillet with the wine. Add the stock and porcinis with some of their liquid (be careful to avoid any grit) and reduce the heat to low.
• To make the bechamel, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepot, add the garlic and swirl a minute or two. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and cook until thickened. Add half of the cheese.
• Place a layer of the polenta in a medium casserole dish and top with half of the mushrooms and bechamel. Repeat the layers, and then end with a layer of polenta. Dot with butter and top with the remaining cheese.
• Cool and store for a make-ahead meal, or bake to serve. Bake at 375 degrees F from room temperature until brown, bubbling and hot through, about 50 minutes.

CHEF JOEY'S POLENTA CRUST PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450'F.
• Spray a 12 inch pizza pan with oil.
• Remove the polenta from its package and drain off the water. Cut it up in pieces and put into the food processor.
• Process the polenta. It will be crumbly. Add in the water, arrowroot flour, Italian herbs, garlic powder and 1/4 cup Romano cheese. Process again until a doughy mixture is obtained.
• Using a spatula, scoop the polenta onto the oiled pizza pan. Spray your hands with oil and pat the polenta into the pizza pan making sure you get it evenly as possible.
• Bake it in your preheated oven for 15 minutes.
• While its cooking, cut up your broccoli heads, scallion and pepper.
• When the polenta crust is done remove and top with the spaghetti sauce, tempeh, pepper, broccoli and scallions, cheeses and Italian herbs.
• Put back into the oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove when done, let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
• Bon Appetit!

POLENTA 'PIZZA' WITH PANCETTA AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees; brush a layer of olive oil on a pizza pan or cookie sheet. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine milk with 2 1/2 cups water and a large pinch of salt. Bring just about to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and add cornmeal in a steady stream, whisking all the while to prevent lumps from forming. Turn heat to low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thick, 10 or 15 minutes. If mixture becomes too thick, whisk in a bit more water; you want a consistency approaching thick oatmeal.
• Stir 1 tablespoon oil into cooked cornmeal (polenta). Spoon it onto prepared pan, working quickly so polenta does not stiffen; spread it evenly to a thickness of about 1/2 inch all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover baking sheet with plastic wrap and put it in refrigerator until it is firm, an hour or more (you can refrigerate polenta overnight if you prefer).
• Put polenta in oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it begins to brown and crisp on edges. Meanwhile, put two tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft and pancetta is nicely browned, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to take onion and pancetta out of pan; set aside. Add spinach to skillet and sauté until it releases its water and pan becomes dry; sprinkle with salt and lots of pepper.
• Take polenta out of oven, sprinkle with Gorgonzola, then spread onion-pancetta mixture and spinach evenly on top of cheese; drizzle with another tablespoon olive oil. Put pizza back in oven for two minutes, or until cheese begins to melt and pancetta and vegetables are warmed through. Cut into slices and serve hot or at room temperature.

EASY ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Sausage and Vegetables -- In a large saute pan, add the sausage and brown until cooked through. I like to use bulk sausage but you can used links and just remove the casing. Just brown and then move to a plate with a paper towel on it to drain. In the pan dripping from the sausage, saute all the vegetables and garlic. If necessary you can add a little extra olive oil, but you shouldn't need to. Once the vegetables are tender, but not overdone -- add the tomatoes, breaking them up as you add them, tomato paste and vegetable broth. Add the herbs and any salt and pepper needed. Add the sausage back in and let simmer 5-10 minutes.
• Polenta -- Slice the polenta in thin slices. Most grocery stores carried the prepared polenta in tubes which is a great time saver. They have plain, herb, cheese many flavors. I love to use parmesan for this but it is not necessary. There are enough other flavors in this dish. You will need around 18 slices for this dish. Now in a small square casserole dish 9x9x2 or you can use something similar in size, build the casserole.
• Combine -- Add some of your meat and vegetable sauce, then add the layers of the polenta, you can over lap them, then the cheese. Another layer of the sauce, the polenta rounds and cheese. Finish with sauce and cheese.
• Bake -- I like to let it set at room temp until the polenta soaks up some of the sauce about 1 hour, then bake covered at 350 for about 30 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

CHEESY POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 8x8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in green pepper, garlic, and green onions; cook until the pepper softens, about 3 minutes. Pour in marinara sauce and simmer 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix together fontina and provolone in a bowl. Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange 1/3 of the polenta slices in the dish, top with 1/3 the fontina and provolone mixture. Spread a thin layer of sauce over cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top casserole with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 25 minutes.

ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
• Combine cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, red wine, and 1/8 teaspoon salt for marinara in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to puree. Set aside.
• Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in polenta slowly, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and butter.
• Pour half of the polenta into the prepared casserole dish. Top with half of the sliced zucchini, overlapping slices slightly. Top zucchini with half of the marinara sauce, then sprinkle with half of the Italian-style cheese. Repeat layers one more time. Cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until cheese on top is slightly brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, garlic and green bell pepper. Drain excess fat. Stir in the noodles, pepperoni, pizza sauce and milk, and mix well. Pour this mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, top with the cheese, then bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

OLE POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• For polenta, in a small bowl, whisk cornmeal, salt and 1 cup water until smooth. In a large saucepan, bring remaining water to a boil. Add cornmeal mixture, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 3 minutes. , Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 15 minutes. Divide mixture between 2 greased 8-in. square baking dishes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1-1/2 hours., In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, green pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, mushrooms, herbs and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until thickened., Loosen 1 polenta from sides and bottom of dish; invert onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet and set aside. Spoon half of the meat mixture over the remaining polenta. Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and half the Parmesan cheese. Top with reserved polenta and remaining meat mixture., Cover and bake at 350° until heated through, 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

PIZZA PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta. , Transfer to 2 greased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with cheese. Arrange pepperoni over the top. , Bake, uncovered, 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casseroles; cover and freeze up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake as directed, increasing time to 35-40 minutes or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.,

CARAMELIZED ONION-POTATO-POLENTA PIZZA

Steps:

• Spray large cookie sheet with cooking spray; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cornmeal. In 2-quart saucepan, mix 1 cup cornmeal and 3/4 cup water. Stir in 3 1/4 cups boiling water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Cook over medium heat about 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
• Reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until very thick. Remove from heat. Stir in olive oil until smooth. Spread hot polenta in 11-inch round on cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour or until very firm.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and sugar; cook 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until deep golden brown and caramelized. In 7-inch skillet, cook potatoes in hot vegetable oil as directed on package; season with 1/8 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
• Heat oven to 450°F. Bake crust 20 minutes. Spread pizza sauce over crust; spoon caramelized onions evenly over sauce. Top with potatoes and cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with oregano.

ITALIAN POLENTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, cook sausage and ground beef on medium-high 5 to 6 minutes or until browned, stirring and breaking up meat with side of spoon. With slotted spoon, transfer meat mixture to medium bowl.
• To same Dutch oven, add onion; cook on medium 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes with their puree; heat to boiling on high, breaking up tomatoes with side of spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add eggplant and meat; cover and cook 5 minutes on medium. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In microwave-safe 4-quart bowl, with wire whisk, combine water, broth, cornmeal, and salt. Microwave on High 15 to 20 minutes or until cornmeal mixture is very thick. After first 5 minutes of cooking, whisk vigorously until smooth (mixture will be lumpy at first); whisk 2 more times during remaining cooking time. Remove from microwave, whisk in Romano.
• Spoon 2 cups hot polenta into each of two 1 1/2-quart shallow casseroles. Spread polenta over bottom and up sides of casseroles. Spoon filling over polenta. Spread remaining polenta around casserole edge to form a rim. Sprinkle with a couple tablespoons additional grated Romano, Parmesan, or Asiago.
• Bake one casserole 30 minutes or until hot. Let stand 10 minutes for easier serving. (Freeze the other one for later.).
• Makes 8 servings (in 2 casserole dishes).
• Note: if you want to lower the fat content, use turkey Italian sausage. Make sure to use quality sausage - I've used my favorite, our freshly made Merguez, and good sausage really makes a difference.

EASY POLENTA PIZZA APPETIZER BAKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Slice 4 slices of Polenta 1/2 inch thick.
• Brush both sides with olive oil and place on baking sheet.
• Add 1 tbsp pizza sauce to each slice.
• Evenly distribute rosemary, over polenta slices.
• Evenly distribute anchovies and olives.
• Sprinkle top with grated locatelli cheese.
• Bake for 12 minutes.
• Serve hot.

POTATO PIZZA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Cook the ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until evenly browned. Drain off grease. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Spread the sliced potatoes in a layer on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread the ground beef and onion over the potatoes. Place slices of pepperoni over the ground beef. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the tomato soup, Cheddar cheese soup, and milk. Season with oregano, Italian seasoning, and brown sugar. Mix well, and cook until heated through. Pour over the contents of the baking dish.
• Cover the dish with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove the aluminum foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

POLENTA CAPRESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Lightly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. In a large pot, bring milk, 3 cups water and salt to boil over high heat. Whisk in cornmeal in a gentle stream and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring often, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, about 20 minutes. Working quickly, pour polenta into prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Let stand 10 minutes; cover with plastic wrap and press polenta along sides of pan to form edges of crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 450°. Bake chilled crust until it begins to brown at edges, 45 minutes to an hour. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan. Sauté shallots and garlic over medium-high heat until soft, 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 5 minutes. Mash with the back of a spoon and cook until thickened, 3 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce onto the crust, top with cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Top with basil and cut into squares.

POLENTA CHILI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large heavy saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle boil; slowly whisk in cornmeal. Cook and stir with a wooden spoon 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away cleanly from sides of pan. , Remove from heat. Stir in 1/4 cup cheddar cheese until melted., Spread into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat chili according to package directions. , Spread vegetables over polenta; top with chili. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 12-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.