17 Basic Italian Bread Recipe Polenta You Must Try Them!
Published on: Mar 16, 2024
Polenta, a staple in Italian cuisine, has been gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well. Typically made from coarsely ground cornmeal, polenta is often used as a delicious side dish or as a base for various dishes. But did you know that polenta can also be incorporated into bread recipes, adding a unique texture and flavor? In this article, we'll share a simple and delicious recipe for basic Italian bread with polenta, perfect for your next meal or gathering. So, let's get started!
Main Ingredients: Water, Sea Salt, Polenta, Gruyere, Gorgonzola Dolce
If you're looking for a unique and delicious way to serve polenta, look no further than this "messed up" version. The polenta is layered with creamy ricotta cheese, tangy tomato sauce, and savory Italian sausage for a hearty and flavorful dish. It's perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party with friends. Plus, it's so easy to make – just pour, layer, and bake! Serve with a side salad and buon appetito!
2of 20
Grilled Polenta
Main Ingredients: Coarse Salt, Polenta, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Take your polenta game to the next level with this mouthwatering grilled polenta recipe. The polenta is cooked until creamy, then poured into a pan and chilled until firm. Once firm, it's cut into slices and grilled to perfection. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or top with grilled vegetables and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a delicious vegetarian option. Mamma mia!
3of 20
Simple Garlic Bread
Main Ingredients: Italian Bread, Garlic, Salted Butter, Italian Parsley
No Italian meal is complete without some garlic bread on the side. This recipe takes the classic garlic bread up a notch by adding a touch of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for extra flavor. The bread is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it the perfect accompaniment to any pasta dish. Delizioso!
4of 20
Italian Bread With Tomato Appetizers
Main Ingredients: Tomatoes, Purple Onion, Fresh Basil Leaves, Ground
These bite-sized appetizers are a great way to start off any Italian meal. Slices of crusty Italian bread are topped with a flavorful mixture of tomatoes, basil, and garlic. They're then broiled until the tomatoes are slightly charred and the bread is crispy. Buonissimo!
This baked polenta dish is a comforting and satisfying meal that is perfect for cooler nights. The polenta is baked with a mixture of ground beef, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese for a hearty and cheesy casserole. Top with some fresh parsley for a pop of color and serve with a side salad for a complete meal. Mangia!
Looking for a quick and easy side dish to accompany your meal? This cheesy Italian bread is the answer. Slices of Italian bread are topped with a mixture of goat cheese, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor in every bite. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Buono!
7of 20
Italian Braised Beef Ragu with Parmesan Polenta
Main Ingredients: Beef Roast, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Cloves
This rich and hearty beef ragu is the perfect topping for creamy Parmesan polenta. The beef is slowly braised in a mixture of red wine, tomato sauce, and herbs until it's fall-apart tender. Serve over a bed of polenta and top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a luxurious and indulgent meal. Delizioso!
8of 20
Spaghetti Stuffed Italian Bread
Main Ingredients: Italian Bread, Italian Sausage, Spaghetti, Spaghetti
Why have spaghetti on the side when you can stuff it inside a loaf of Italian bread? This unique and delicious twist on traditional spaghetti is sure to be a hit with the family. The bread is hollowed out and filled with a mixture of spaghetti, ground beef, and tomato sauce. Top with some mozzarella cheese and bake until golden and bubbly. Buon appetito!
9of 20
Traditional Italian Bread Salad
Main Ingredients: Garlic Clove, Olive Oil, Italian Bread, Fresh
This classic Italian bread salad, also known as panzanella, is a great way to use up stale bread. The bread is tossed with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and basil in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the bread to soak up the flavors and serve as a refreshing and light side dish. Delizioso!
10of 20
Homemade Italian Meatballs
Main Ingredients: Italian Bread, Grated Romano Cheese, Garlic, Fresh
No Italian meal is complete without some delicious homemade meatballs. This recipe combines ground beef, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and herbs to create tender and flavorful meatballs. Serve with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce for a classic and comforting meal. Molto buono!
11of 20
Creamy Polenta (Italian Cornmeal)
Main Ingredients: Polenta, Water, Milk, Butter, Freshly Grated Parmesan
Polenta is a staple in Italian cuisine, and for good reason. This creamy version is made with cornmeal, butter, and parmesan cheese for a simple yet delicious side dish. It pairs well with a variety of main dishes, from chicken to beef to fish. Magnifico!
12of 20
Italian Sausage Casserole
Main Ingredients: Milk, Chicken Broth, Polenta, Salt, Bulk Italian
This hearty and flavorful casserole is a great way to use up leftover Italian sausage. The sausage is cooked with bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes before being topped with slices of Italian bread and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly for a comforting and satisfying meal. Mamma mia!
This recipe truly lives up to its name – these are the best Italian meatballs you'll ever taste. The secret is in the mixture of ground beef, ground pork, and ground veal, which creates a tender and flavorful meatball. Serve with your favorite pasta and mangia!
This unique and delicious polenta pie is a great option for a vegetarian main dish. Creamy polenta is layered with a mixture of spinach, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce, then topped with mozzarella cheese and baked until golden and bubbly. Serve with a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Buonissimo!
15of 20
Weight Watchers Tomato Salad with Grilled Italian Bread
Main Ingredients: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar, Dried
This light and refreshing salad is perfect for those following a Weight Watchers plan. Fresh tomatoes, red onion, and basil are tossed in a simple vinaigrette dressing and served with slices of grilled Italian bread for a satisfying and flavorful meal. Mangia!
16of 20
Italian Chicken Over Polenta
Main Ingredients: Chicken Thighs, Italian Seasoning, Marinara Sauce
Looking for a new way to serve chicken? Look no further than this Italian-inspired dish. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce and served over creamy polenta for a hearty and satisfying meal. Top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor. Buon appetito!
17of 20
Italian Polenta Bites
Main Ingredients: Polenta, Olive Oil, Spaghetti Sauce, Fontina Cheese
These bite-sized polenta bites are perfect for parties or as appetizers before a meal. Creamy polenta is topped with a mixture of tomatoes, garlic, and basil for a burst of flavor in every bite. They're also great for a quick and easy snack. Delizioso!
18of 20
Chicken And Polenta With Broccoli
Main Ingredients: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Italian Seasoning
This healthy and flavorful dish is a great option for a weeknight meal. Tender chicken is cooked with broccoli and served over creamy polenta for a well-rounded and satisfying meal. It's also a great way to get some extra veggies into your diet. Buono!
19of 20
Italian Polenta Turkey Casserole
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Onion, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Garlic, Ground
Put a twist on traditional turkey casserole with this Italian-inspired version. Turkey is cooked with a mixture of tomatoes, zucchini, and italian seasoning before being topped with creamy polenta and baked until golden and bubbly. Serve with a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal. Mamma mia!
20of 20
Italian Polenta Cookies (Zaleti)
Main Ingredients: Butter, Sugar, Egg Yolks, Milk, Baking Powder, Salt
Who says polenta is just for savory dishes? These Italian polenta cookies, also known as zaleti, are a popular dessert in Northern Italy. They're made with a combination of polenta, almonds, and raisins for a unique and delicious treat. Serve with a cup of espresso for an authentic Italian experience. Buonissimo!
How to Make Basic Italian Bread with Polenta
Gathering Ingredients
To make this delicious bread, you will need all-purpose flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, salt, and water. It's important to use unbleached flour for this recipe to achieve a lighter and fluffier texture. You can also add in olive oil for an extra touch of flavor.
Mixing and Kneading the Dough
Start by combining the flour, cornmeal, yeast, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually add in water and knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. This should take around 10 minutes. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for this step.
Rising and Shaping the Bread
Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise for about an hour in a warm place. Once it has doubled in size, punch down the dough and shape it into a loaf or rolls. You can also add some cornmeal on top for a rustic look.
Baking and Enjoying
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let the shaped dough rise for another 20 minutes. Then, bake it for 30 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown. Let it cool before slicing and serving. This bread is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven with some olive oil for dipping or as a side for your favorite Italian dish.
Incorporating Polenta into Other Bread Recipes
Apart from this basic Italian bread recipe, you can also experiment with adding polenta to other bread recipes. For instance, you can use it in place of cornmeal in cornbread recipes or add it to focaccia bread for a unique twist. The possibilities are endless, so have fun and get creative in the kitchen!
In Conclusion
Polenta is a versatile ingredient that can add a delicious twist to your bread recipes. With this basic Italian bread recipe, you can easily incorporate polenta into your baking and impress your friends and family with a homemade loaf. So, try it out and let us know how it turns out!