Polenta with Creamy Spinach

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Polenta with Creamy Spinach recipe, a hearty and flavorful dish combining the silky smoothness of Parmesan-infused polenta with a luxuriously creamy spinach topping. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of garlic, nutmeg, and freshly cracked black pepper, this dish strikes a balance between rustic simplicity and gourmet sophistication. Made with wholesome ingredients like fresh baby spinach and coarse cornmeal, it's a satisfying vegetarian option that comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or cozy dinner parties. Serve this irresistible combination as a main course or a decadent side dish, and don’t forget a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for a finishing touch that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Polenta (coarse cornmeal)
• 4 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 0.333 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 8 cups Baby spinach, fresh
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream
• 0.25 teaspoon Nutmeg, ground
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt (for spinach)

Directions

Step 1

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

Step 2

2. Gradually whisk in the polenta in a steady stream to avoid clumping. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the polenta thickens and becomes tender—about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3

3. Stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Remove from heat, cover, and set aside.

Step 4

4. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Step 5

5. Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet, a few handfuls at a time, and cook until wilted—about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 6

6. Stir in the heavy cream, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is creamy and heated through.

Step 7

7. To serve, spoon the warm polenta onto a plate or shallow bowl and top it with the creamy spinach mixture.

Step 8

8. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1645.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1795.1

Total Fat 90.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 46.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 208.6mg	0%
Sodium 4182.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 201.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.4g	0%
Total Sugars 2.5g
Protein 37.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 625.4mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 1560.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 45.5%