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  3. Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms
Italian baked polenta with mushroom topping

Creamy baked polenta topped with garlicky mushrooms

Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

50 minEasy

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

35 min

Total Time

50 min

Servings

4

4 servings

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Italian Baked Polenta with Mushrooms

Creamy baked polenta topped with garlicky mushrooms

A rustic Italian-style dinner of baked polenta with mushrooms, garlic, and herbs that works as a vegetarian main.

15m

Prep Time

35m

Cook Time

50m

Total Time

4

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Italian CuisineMain CourseVegetarianGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

November 29, 2025(Updated April 12, 2026)

Polenta makes a good weeknight base because it feels comforting and flexible without requiring much from the pantry. Mushrooms and herbs give it enough savoriness to stand on its own.

Why This Recipe Works

Baking the polenta lets it set enough to support the mushroom topping while still staying soft and spoonable.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup polenta
  • 4 cups stock or water
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Parmesan and parsley for serving

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook the polenta until thick, then spread it into a baking dish.

  2. 2

    Bake until lightly set on top.

  3. 3

    Meanwhile, saute the mushrooms and garlic until browned.

  4. 4

    Spoon the mushrooms over the baked polenta and finish with parsley and Parmesan.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Instant polenta works fine if you need the recipe to move faster.

  • A little cream stirred into the polenta makes it richer if you want that.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 serving) · 4 servings

Calories260
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein7g
Carbohydrates29g
Fat13g
Fiber3g
Sugar2g
Sodium340mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?
Yes. The components or finished dish hold well if properly chilled and stored.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes. Taste near the end and adjust salt, acid, or heat so it suits the way you like to cook and eat.

Explore More

More Italian RecipesMore Main CourseVegetarian RecipesGluten-Free RecipesStovetop RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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