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Crispy Polenta with Spicy Tomato Sauce, Sautéed Kale & Mushrooms
The crispy polenta is topped with tomato sauce, sautéed kale, mushrooms and a generous pile of grated Parmesan cheese.
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This crispy polenta with spicy tomato sauce, kale, and mushrooms is one of my go-to weeknight dinners because it’s easy, inexpensive, and endlessly customizable. I first developed this recipe after foraging through my fridge to avoid a grocery store trip, and it’s been a staple ever since. Loosely inspired by a crispy polenta dish from Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica, this vegetarian meal comes together with simple pantry ingredients and delivers big flavor.
Crispy, golden polenta rounds are topped with spicy tomato sauce, sautéed kale, earthy mushrooms, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a vegetarian entrée, but versatile enough to adapt to whatever you have on hand – swap in other veggies, sauces, or cheeses for an easy, budget-friendly meal that still feels restaurant-worthy. Cooking this one up? Don’t miss my creamy ricotta polenta with sautéed mushrooms and leeks and Cajun shrimp and grits with bacon braised collard greens.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: Uses pantry staples and fridge-foraged veggies for a no-fuss weeknight dinner.
- Budget-friendly: Polenta, kale, and mushrooms are inexpensive ingredients that deliver maximum flavor.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite vegetables, sauces, or cheeses to make it your own.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Polenta – Look for high-quality, stone-ground cornmeal. Be patient and give the polenta time to cook to develop the rich corn flavor. The cooked polenta is set until it’s firm and cut into squares then pan fried.
- Chicken stock – Chicken stock is typically made from chicken bones as well as aromatics and vegetables while chicken broth is made with the meat. How does that affect their flavor? Chicken stock has a much richer, more robust flavor which comes from the collagen released from the simmering bones. On the other hand, chicken broth is much more mellow in flavor. I typically use chicken stock when cooking. In a pinch the chicken stock can be substituted with water though it takes away some of the flavor.
- Mushrooms – In this recipe I use a combination of Bella, shiitake & maitake mushrooms though any mix can be used. I recommend buying whole mushrooms and slicing them yourself so they are more evenly cut than pre-cut mushrooms. Use a damp paper towel to wipe away dirt before slicing the mushrooms.
- Kale – The kale is sautéed until tender and simmered in broth to braise it. This method of cooking adds much more flavor to the kale.
- Tomato sauce – While this recipe calls for homemade marinara sauce, store-bought sauce can be used as as a substitute. There’s nothing wrong with canned sauce and it can be an easy shortcut, but since the homemade sauce only requires a few ingredients, I typically prefer to make my own.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro tip
To make the recipe easier the polenta can be made and set in the pan ahead of time. Cook the polenta the night before and let it cool, covered in the fridge until ready to use. e
Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Crispy Polenta
- Use firm polenta: Chilled polenta or pre-cooked polenta works best. If using jarred polenta, let it set in the fridge for at least an hour before slicing.
- Cut evenly: Cut the polenta into even rounds or squares so they cook at the same rate and crisp evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches to avoid steaming the polenta. Give each piece enough space for a golden crust.
- Higher heat for crispiness: Use a medium to medium-high heat and let the polenta sit undisturbed for a few minutes before flipping.
- Use enough oil: A light but sufficient layer of olive oil or neutral oil ensures a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Optional coating for extra crunch: Dust the polenta lightly with cornmeal or flour before frying for an extra crisp texture.
- Serve immediately: Polenta is at its crispiest right out of the pan. If it sits too long, it will soften slightly.
How to Make Crispy Polenta
- Cook the polenta. Bring the chicken stock (or water) and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly.
- Simmer the polenta. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the heat to low and cook. Season with the pepper and stir in the Parmesan until fully incorporated.
- Let the polenta cool and harden. Line a 9×9-inch cake pan, baking dish or rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the polenta in and spread in an even layer. Cover and refrigerate until it becomes firm, for at least an hour.
- Fry the polenta. Cut the polenta into 9 squares. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Working in batches add the polenta to the pan and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until sot and opaque. Add the garlic and cook.
- Simmer the tomato sauce. Add the tomatoes and basil, stirring to combine. Simmer until the sauce comes together, adding more water if the sauce gets too dry. Stir in the red pepper and season with salt and pepper.
- Sauté the kale. Heat a large high-edged skillet pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through (may have to work in two batches depending on the size of the pan). Add the kale and toss to coat in the oil. Sauté, stirring occasionally until the kale has wilted.
- Simmer the kale. Lower the heat to medium-low then add the chicken stock and simmer until the kale is tender and most of the stock has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
- Sauté the mushrooms. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add butter and allow to melt, then add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Season with salt and continue to cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
- Serve. Divide the crispy polenta cakes among plates with kale and mushrooms. Top with sauce and Parmesan.
How to Prep this recipe in advance
- The polenta can be made and chilled up to a day in advance.
- The homemade tomato sauce can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated until ready to reheat and serve.
Other easy variations on this recipe
- Store-bought: Substitute store-bought sauce for homemade. A bolognese sauce or ragu also works well!
- Greens: Sauté other greens instead of kale like collards or spinach.
- Veggies: Instead of mushrooms you can use sautéed vegetables like eggplant or zucchini as well as caramelized onions.
- Meats: Try adding cooked ground meat to the sauce or topping the dish with cooked, sliced sausage.
- Vegan: To make the recipe vegan omit the cheese from the polenta and swap out the butter in the mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook the polenta and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Sauté the vegetables and reheat everything before serving. The polenta crisps up nicely in a hot pan refrigeration.
Can I freeze the polenta rounds?
Yes! Freeze uncooked polenta rounds on a sheet pan, then transfer to a freezer bag. Pan-fry straight from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes to cook through.
Can I make this vegan?
Yes! To make the recipe vegan omit the cheese from the polenta or use a plant-based alternative and swap out the butter in the mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
Can I use fresh polenta instead of jarred?
Yes! Slice and pan-fry fresh polenta in the same way. Just keep in mind it may be a bit softer and won’t have the flavor of the cheese, so handle carefully when flipping.
What other toppings work well?
Almost anything! Roasted vegetables, spinach, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, or a fried egg on top all work beautifully.
Other Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this crispy polenta recipe, give these recipes a try:
Tried it? Loved it? Tweaked it? Leave a review below and tell me how it went – I’m all ears (and always hungry).
Crispy Polenta with Spicy Tomato Sauce, Sautéed Kale & Mushrooms
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Ingredients:
For the polenta:
- 3 cups chicken stock (or water)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup coarse polenta
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the spicy tomato sauce:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can peeled tomatoes
- ¼ packed cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt, as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
For the sautéed kale:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces curly or dino kale, stalks removed and roughly chopped (about 5 packed cups or one large bunch)
- ¾ cup chicken stock
For the mushrooms:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¾ pound assorted mushrooms, quartered (I use baby bella, shiitake & maitake)
- Kosher salt, as needed
Instructions:
For the polenta:
- Bring the chicken stock (or water) and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly add the polenta, whisking constantly.
- Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes. Season with the pepper and stir in the Parmesan until fully incorporated.
- Line a 9×9-inch cake pan, baking dish or rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and pour the polenta in and spread in an even layer. Cover and refrigerate until it becomes firm, for at least an hour.
- Cut the polenta into 9 squares. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Working in batches add the polenta to the pan and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.
For the spicy tomato sauce:
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add the onion and sauté until sot and opaque, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and basil, stirring to combine.
- Simmer until the sauce comes together, about 30 to 45 minutes, adding more water if the sauce gets too dry. Stir in the red pepper and season with salt and pepper.
For the sautéed kale:
- Heat a large high-edged skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through (may have to work in two batches depending on the size of the pan). Add the kale and toss to coat in the oil. Sauté, stirring occasionally until the kale has wilted.
- Lower the heat to medium-low then add the chicken stock and simmer until the kale is tender and most of the stock has evaporated, about 8 minutes.
For the mushrooms:
- Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and heat through. Add butter and allow to melt, then add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes. Season with salt and continue to cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes.
For serving:
- Divide the crispy polenta among plates with kale and mushrooms. Top with sauce and Parmesan.
Notes:
Substitute store-bought sauce for homemade. A bolognese sauce or ragu also works well!
Nutrition:
Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1163mg | Potassium: 823mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 6028IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 277mg | Iron: 3mg
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Can you make the polenta the night before?
Yes absolutely! Just keep it in the baking dish then cut it into squares and pan-fry when you’re ready to serve!
Really loved this! Such simple flavors, but somehow it all just completely worked! So happy I stumbled upon your recipe. Husband loved it too. Will definitely be in regular rotation. Thank you
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for sharing Marissa!
This recipe was amazing. It is packed with all so many nourishing things. I love the diversity- being able to add less or more heat to the tomatoes as you’d like. The crispy polenta cakes, buttery mushrooms and tang from the sauce take this to the next level! Must try!
SO happy to hear you enjoyed Tessa!
This was amazing!! I took a shortcut and bought the tubes of cooked polenta from Trader Joe’s and just pan-fried those, and I also used extra mushrooms (shiitake and cremini), and we loved every bite. So good!!
So happy to hear it Jessica! Great shortcut on the polenta!! Thanks for sharing!
One of my favorites for dinner
So happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing!