Description
Warm, creamy, and packed with flavor, this *Creamy Garlic Polenta With Mushrooms* is the ultimate comfort food. Perfect as a quick vegetarian dinner or a cozy side dish, it’s naturally gluten-free and endlessly adaptable. A slow-cooked polenta base infused with garlic and butter is topped with perfectly sautéd mushrooms for a rustic yet elegant meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, easy recipe for a healthy snack, or satisfying food ideas for chilly nights, this one hits all the right notes.
Ingredients
1 cup stone-ground polenta
3 cups vegetable broth (or water)
2 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1/2 cup cream or whole milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces mushrooms (cremini, shiitake, or mix), sliced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp dried)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare all ingredients: slice mushrooms, mince garlic, and grate cheese if using.
2. Bring broth or water to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Slowly whisk in polenta while stirring constantly to avoid clumps.
4. Reduce heat to low and cook polenta uncovered, stirring frequently for 30–40 minutes.
5. Once thickened, stir in butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
6. While polenta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Add mushrooms and sear without stirring for 2–3 minutes, then cook until browned.
8. Add garlic and thyme to mushrooms and cook for another minute.
9. Spoon creamy polenta into bowls and top with sautéd mushrooms.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For the creamiest texture, stir the polenta regularly and cook it low and slow.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking mushrooms—this helps them brown better.
You can make it dairy-free by swapping the butter, milk, and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg