Rita's Polenta Lasagna

Discover a comforting twist on a classic Italian favorite with Rita's Polenta Lasagna—a hearty, gluten-free recipe that layers creamy polenta with rich meat sauce, ricotta, and melted mozzarella for an irresistibly savory dish. This unique lasagna swaps traditional pasta for slices of Parmesan-infused polenta, creating a rustic yet elegant base that soaks up every bit of the robust tomato and Italian sausage (or ground beef) filling. Perfect for busy weeknights or dinner parties, this recipe combines simple, wholesome ingredients like fresh garlic, dried herbs, and a trio of cheeses into a crowd-pleasing bake. Whether you're looking for an alternative to traditional lasagna or a comforting, flavorful meal, this dish is sure to impress. Serve warm and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:90 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Polenta
• 6 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 4 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound Ground beef or Italian sausage
• 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1.5 cups Ricotta cheese
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring water and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually whisk in the polenta and reduce the heat to low.

Step 2

Cook, stirring constantly, until the polenta thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 25 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the polenta from heat and stir in butter and Parmesan cheese. Spread the polenta onto a parchment-lined baking sheet into an even layer, about 1/2-inch thick. Allow to cool and firm up for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 5

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 8

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 15 minutes to allow flavors to combine.

Step 9

Cut the cooled and firm polenta into rectangular slices to fit your lasagna dish.

Step 10

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 11

Layer slices of polenta over the sauce, followed by a layer of ricotta cheese, and then a layer of mozzarella cheese.

Step 12

Repeat the layering process (sauce, polenta, ricotta, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of mozzarella on top.

Step 13

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Step 14

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Step 15

Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4082.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3847.4

Total Fat 290.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 145.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 962.5mg	0%
Sodium 7422.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 128.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.9g	0%
Total Sugars 36.8g
Protein 218.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0.4IU	0%
Calcium 4544.4mg	0%
Iron 19.4mg	0%
Potassium 4081.2mg	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: 65.3%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 12.8%