Baked Polenta with Sausage: A Comfort Food Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup milk
• 9.25 ounces instant polenta
• 0.5 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 0.5 cup chopped onions
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 1.5 cups dry white wine
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. In a large saucepan, combine water and milk with the polenta. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then stir in Parmesan cheese and butter. Continue stirring until the polenta thickens, about 3 minutes. Pour the polenta into a large, round casserole dish, creating a layer about 1 inch deep.
3. Heat olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, mushrooms, onion, and garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sausage is browned and crumbly, approximately 10 minutes. Pour in the wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, and oregano. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Carefully pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the polenta base. Sprinkle the top generously with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition

• Calories: 546 kcal
• Fat Content: 24 g
• Fiber Content: 5 g
• Sugar Content: 13 g
• Sodium Content: 1323 mg
• Protein Content: 25 g
• Cholesterol Content: 59 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 48 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g