Best 7 Polenta Pizza With Pancetta And Spinach Recipes

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**Polenta Pizza with Pancetta and Spinach: A Savory Italian Treat**

Polenta, a traditional Italian dish made from boiled cornmeal, takes on a new and exciting form in this polenta pizza recipe. This savory dish combines the crispy texture of polenta with the classic flavors of Italian pizza toppings. Pancetta, with its salty and smoky flavor, adds richness to the dish, while baby spinach provides a fresh and earthy balance. The gooey mozzarella cheese ties all the ingredients together, creating a harmonious and satisfying meal. In addition to the main recipe, this article also includes variations for making polenta pizza with different toppings, such as roasted vegetables, mushrooms, and sausage. Whether you're a fan of classic Italian cuisine or simply looking for a creative and delicious meal, this polenta pizza is sure to impress.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

POLENTA PIZZA (WITH VARIOUS TOPPINGS)



Polenta Pizza (with Various Toppings) image

Cheesy polenta pizza that you can top with just about anything you like. A gluten-free, healthier pizza crust alternative.

Provided by Adina

Categories     Main Dish

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 2/3 cup coarse or medium cornmeal (250 g, Note 1)
4 1/2 cups water (1 liter)
1 ¼ teaspoons fine salt
1 cup grated cheese (Gouda, cheddar, Parmesan, 125 g)
8-10 tablespoons tomato/ marinara sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 red onion
1 red bell pepper
5.5 oz spicy sausage (chorizo, cabanossi, etc, 150 g)
3-4 small tomatoes
12 black olives
4.5 oz feta cheese (125 g)
fine sea salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Polenta: Start by making a basic polenta. Pour the water into a large pot. Heat the water but don't let it come to a boil (it helps against the formation of lumps). Add the salt. Slowly add the cornmeal while stirring or whisking (with an egg beater, not a mixer) all the time (Note 2).
  • Simmer: When all the cornmeal is incorporated, continue stirring or whisking shortly to ensure that there are no lumps. Turn the heat down, place a lid on top but leave a crack open. Stir every 2-3 minutes or so, but there is no need to stir all the time.
  • Cooking time: Read the cooking instructions on the polenta packet to know how long the cornmeal needs to be cooked. For example, I cook the polenta made with coarse cornmeal for 40 to 50 minutes and the polenta made with medium cornmeal for about 15 minutes.
  • Add cheese: When the polenta is cooked, stir in the freshly grated cheese of choice.
  • Let cool: Line a baking tray with baking paper and pour the polenta on the tray. Spread it evenly with a spoon and let it get cold.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
  • Top pizza: Mix the tomato sauce with dried oregano and spread it over the polenta. Halve and slice the red onion, cut the tomatoes into small wedges and thinly slice the pepper and the sausage. Spread everything on the pizza and add the olives and the crumbled feta cheese.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes in the hot oven until the cheese on top starts to get golden. Serve immediately with a green salad and Greek yogurt or sour cream dollop.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /6 of the pizza, Calories 387 kcal, Carbohydrate 41 g, Protein 14 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 1133 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 8 g

CREAMY POLENTA WITH SPINACH



Creamy Polenta with Spinach image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
3/4 cup quick-cook polenta
Kosher salt
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1/2 cup (4 ounces) mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 ounces baby spinach, roughly chopped

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, bring the chicken broth, oil, garlic and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and whisk in the polenta. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, mascarpone, pecorino and butter. Cook, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Fold in the spinach and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes longer. Add 1/4 cup water if the mixture gets too thick.
  • Pour the polenta into a large bowl and serve with grated Parmesan over the top.

POLENTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND SPINACH



Polenta with Mushrooms and Spinach image

As a vegetarian, I love coming up with new dishes that non-vegetarians will enjoy (and not miss the meat). This polenta with mushrooms and spinach recipe is so good, everyone always asks for the recipe. -Marcy Delpome, Stanhope, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tube (18 ounces) polenta, cut into 1/2" slices
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 shallot, chopped
1/2 cup sherry
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup vegetable broth
5 cups fresh baby spinach (about 5 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. Brush both sides of polenta slices with 1 tablespoon oil; place on a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes on each side or until crisp., Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallot; cook and stir 12-14 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and mushrooms start to brown. Add sherry; cook, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan., In a small bowl, mix flour, salt and pepper; stir in broth until smooth. Stir into pan. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Add spinach; cook and stir over medium-low heat until slightly wilted, about 2 minutes., Arrange polenta on a platter; top with mushroom mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 97 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 295mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

POLENTA AL FORNO WITH SPINACH, RICOTTA AND FONTINA



Polenta al Forno With Spinach, Ricotta and Fontina image

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, weekday, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound spinach
2 cups ricotta
Salt and pepper
Pinch cayenne
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
4 ounces fontina or Swiss cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons butter
Basic soft polenta (see recipe), kept warm

Steps:

  • Blanch spinach briefly in a large pot of boiling water, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and cool. Squeeze all excess moisture from spinach and roughly chop.
  • In a large bowl, combine chopped spinach and ricotta. Season with salt and pepper, then add cayenne, lemon zest, half the Parmesan and all but 2 tablespoons of the fontina and stir well.
  • Butter a 9- by 12-inch casserole dish. Ladle in half of the warm, soft polenta and spread with a spatula to make a thin layer. Spoon spinach mixture evenly over it. Top with remaining soft polenta and spread to smooth the surface. (May be made ahead up to this point, then covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.)
  • Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and fontina. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until nicely browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

CREAMY POLENTA WITH SPINACH



Creamy polenta with spinach image

Delicious, comforting and ready in five minutes

Provided by Emma Lewis

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Side dish, Snack, Supper

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 3

175g quick-cook polenta
5 tbsp mascarpone
100g bag spinach

Steps:

  • Cook the polenta according to pack instructions. When the polenta is softened and smooth, stir through the mascarpone and spinach. Leave for 30 secs until the spinach has just begun to wilt, stir again and then serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240 calories, Fat 10 grams fat, SaturatedFat 6 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.14 milligram of sodium

CLASSIC SPINACH PIZZA



Classic Spinach Pizza image

Our testers really went for the combination of flavors in this fresh and fancy pizza. Pretty and definitely company-special, it's sure to become a favorite with your guests, too! Gilda Lester - Millsboro, DE

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 6 slices.

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup chopped ripe olives
1 prebaked 12-inch pizza crust
1 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/3 cup grated Romano cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. Saute garlic in drippings for 1 minute. Add spinach; cook just until wilted. Drain spinach mixture on paper towels., In the same skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender; add the pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the mascarpone cheese, olives and pancetta. , Place crust on an ungreased pizza pan. Spread mushroom mixture over crust; layer with spinach mixture, provolone and Romano. , Bake at 450° for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 435 calories, Fat 27g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 53mg cholesterol, Sodium 824mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 19g protein.

POLENTA WITH SPINACH



Polenta with Spinach image

Provided by James Beard

Categories     Side     Bake     High Fiber     Lemon     Cornmeal     Spinach     Winter     House & Garden

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 packages frozen spinach
1 clove garlic, chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 recipe polenta
Butter
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Cut the frozen blocks of spinach into small pieces and place in a heavy skillet without water. Cover the pan and heat the spinach just until it is thoroughly thawed. Drain and chop very fine. Blend the chopped spinach with the garlic, lemon juice, salt and olive oil. Oil an oval or square baking dish and put the spinach in the bottom. Top with polenta, dot with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 375°F. oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the polenta is delicately brown. Serve as an accompaniment to beef, veal or pork dishes.

Tips:

  • Use Fresh Cornmeal: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh cornmeal that has been ground within the last few months. You can find fresh cornmeal at most health food stores or online.
  • Season the Polenta: Don't forget to season the polenta with salt and pepper before cooking. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
  • Cook the Polenta Until It Is Thick and Creamy: The polenta should be cooked until it is thick and creamy, but not too stiff. It should be able to hold its shape when you spoon it out, but it should not be difficult to stir.
  • Use High-Quality Ingredients: When making polenta pizza, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. This will help to ensure that the dish is delicious and flavorful.
  • Experiment with Different Toppings: Polenta pizza is a versatile dish that can be topped with a variety of ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.

Conclusion:

Polenta pizza is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is a great way to use up leftover polenta, and it can also be made with fresh cornmeal. With its crispy crust and flavorful toppings, polenta pizza is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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