Best 5 Butternut Squash Polenta Recipes

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Indulge your taste buds with a tantalizing culinary journey, where creamy butternut squash intertwines with the comforting warmth of polenta. Discover a symphony of flavors and textures in this delectable dish that promises a satisfying and nourishing experience. Embark on a culinary adventure with our carefully curated recipes, each offering unique variations to cater to your palate's desires. From the classic combination of butternut squash and Parmesan cheese to the zesty addition of sundried tomatoes and spinach, these recipes unveil the versatility and boundless potential of this hearty dish. Whether you seek a comforting weeknight meal or an impressive centerpiece for your next dinner party, our butternut squash polenta recipes will surely delight and captivate your senses.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEESY BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA



Cheesy Baked Butternut Squash Polenta image

Butternut squash melts into the polenta as it cooks for this creamy make-ahead dish. Once transferred to a baking dish, pressing chunks of creamy Fontina cheese into the polenta ensures that once baked it will be full of gooey pockets of cheese throughout.

Provided by Anna Stockwell

Categories     Squash     Milk/Cream     Nutmeg     Cheese     Parmesan     Butter     Olive Oil     Sage     Fontina     Thanksgiving     Side     Bake     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Vegetarian

Yield 10-12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 Tbsp. kosher salt, plus more
1 cup coarse polenta (about 5 oz.)
1 medium butternut squash (about 2 lb.), peeled, seeds removed, cut into 1" pieces
2 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for pan
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup sage leaves
1/2 lb. Fontina cheese, cut into 1/2" pieces

Steps:

  • Combine 1 Tbsp. salt and 6 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in polenta, then cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until polenta just begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Stir in squash, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until polenta is thick and no longer gritty, and squash mashes easily when pressed with the back of a spoon, 30-40 minutes.
  • Mix in milk and nutmeg, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring constantly and smashing squash with the back of spoon, until squash is dissolved into the polenta, 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan and 1/4 cup butter until melted. Let cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add sage and cook, stirring, just until leaves are lightly crisped and darker in color, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Grease a shallow 3-qt. baking dish with butter, then transfer polenta mixture to baking dish. Scatter Fontina cheese over and press down lightly with spoon to submerge. Top with crisped sage. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and chill overnight and up to 2 days.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Uncover dish and bake casserole until bubbly and lightly browned on top, 30-35 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

POLENTA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH



Polenta with Butternut Squash image

Categories     Side     Bake     Cornmeal     Butternut Squash     Fall     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 pounds butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeded
6 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
3 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
2 3/4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups polenta (coarse cornmeal)*
1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 1/4 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange squash, cut side up, in large roasting pan. Place garlic cloves in squash cavities. Drizzle oil over. Sprinkle with dried sage, salt and pepper. Cover with foil and bake until squash is tender, about 1 hour 35 minutes. Cool slightly. Peel squash and garlic. Transfer to processor and puree.
  • Combine broth, 1 3/4 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil. Gradually whisk in polenta. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture is very thick and creamy, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir in fresh sage and 3 cups squash puree (reserve any remaining puree for another use). Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over medium-low heat until heated through.)

BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA



Butternut Squash Polenta image

Categories     Vegetable     Side     Quick & Easy     Cornmeal     Butternut Squash     Hominy/Cornmeal/Masa     Gourmet     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 4 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup finely chopped onion (1 medium)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 (12-oz) package frozen butternut squash purée (sometimes called winter squash; 1 1/2 cups), thawed
2 1/2 cups water
2 cups whole milk
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup instant polenta
1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)

Steps:

  • Cook onion in 3 tablespoons butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until very soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in squash and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
  • Bring water, milk, salt, and pepper to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot. Add polenta in a thin stream, whisking. Cook polenta at a bare simmer, stirring with a long-handled whisk and turning down heat as needed to prevent spattering, 5 minutes.
  • Stir in squash mixture and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Remove from heat, then stir in cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Serve immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE & ONION RECIPE - (4.6/5)



Butternut Squash Polenta With Sausage & Onion Recipe - (4.6/5) image

Provided by ltrodrigu

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 bay leaf
1 cup fine polenta (not quick cooking)
5 ounces seeded and peeled butternut squash, coarsely grated (1 cup)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Black pepper, as needed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
1 1/2 pounds sweet or hot Italian pork sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
2 teaspoons minced rosemary
1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
2 small onions, peeled, halved, and sliced into 1/4-inch half moons
Rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, the salt and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta. Stir in squash. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until polenta and squash are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets too thick while cooking, add a little more water to the pot. Stir in butter and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. While polenta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, rosemary and fennel seeds if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. (Do this in batches if necessary, adding oil if the pan looks dry.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add more oil to the skillet if it looks dry, then add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Return sausage to pan and stir to heat through. Spoon polenta into bowls and top with sausage and onion, garnished with rosemary if you like.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH POLENTA WITH SAUSAGE AND ONION



Butternut Squash Polenta With Sausage and Onion image

In this savory, satisfying dinner, finely ground polenta and grated butternut squash are cooked together in one pot, the squash adding sweetness to the savory cornmeal. Then browned sausages and onions seasoned with rosemary and fennel seeds are spooned on top to round out the meal. It's a dish simple enough for a weeknight, but the butternut squash makes it interesting enough to serve to guests.If you can't find finely ground polenta, you can substitute coarse; just add another cup of water and plan on cooking the mixture for an extra 10 to 15 minutes. You could also substitute coarsely ground cornmeal for the fine polenta. Try to avoid using instant (or quick-cooking) polenta, but if it's all you can find, add the squash, salt and bay leaf to the boiling water 15 minutes before stirring in the polenta, so the squash gets a chance to soften. Just do not use the prepared polenta that comes in a tube. You can grate the squash the day before and store it in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 bay leaf
1 cup fine polenta (not quick cooking)
5 ounces seeded and peeled butternut squash, coarsely grated (1 cup)
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Black pepper, as needed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed
1 1/2 pounds sweet or hot Italian pork sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
2 teaspoons minced rosemary
1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
2 small onions, peeled, halved, and sliced into 1/4-inch half moons
Rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine 4 1/2 cups water, the salt and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in polenta. Stir in squash. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until polenta and squash are very tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the mixture gets too thick while cooking, add a little more water to the pot. Stir in butter and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • While polenta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, rosemary and fennel seeds if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is golden and cooked through, 7 to 10 minutes. (Do this in batches if necessary, adding oil if the pan looks dry.) Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
  • Add more oil to the skillet if it looks dry, then add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Return sausage to pan and stir to heat through. Spoon polenta into bowls and top with sausage and onion, garnished with rosemary if you like.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 773, UnsaturatedFat 30 grams, Carbohydrate 41 grams, Fat 55 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 19 grams, Sodium 1266 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

  • Choose ripe butternut squash: Look for squash with a deep orange color and firm flesh. Avoid squash with blemishes or soft spots.
  • Roast the butternut squash before using it in the polenta: Roasting the squash brings out its natural sweetness and flavor.
  • Use a good quality polenta: Polenta made from stone-ground cornmeal will have a better flavor and texture than polenta made from instant cornmeal.
  • Cook the polenta according to the package directions: Be sure to stir the polenta constantly while it is cooking to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
  • Season the polenta to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste. You can also add grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled goat cheese.
  • Serve the polenta hot or cold: Polenta can be served as a main course or a side dish. It can be topped with roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, or a simple tomato sauce.

Conclusion:

Butternut squash polenta is a delicious and versatile dish. It is easy to make and can be served in a variety of ways. Whether you are looking for a hearty main course or a simple side dish, butternut squash polenta is a great option.

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