Italian Polenta Casserole

Cheesy polenta is layered with thinly sliced zucchini and homemade marinara sauce in this Italian-inspired casserole that makes a great side dish to steak, pork, or chicken.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 318 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
• 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup fresh basil
• 1 (14 ounce) can cherry tomatoes
• ¾ cup polenta
• 1 ½ cups finely shredded Italian-style cheese

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.

Step 2

Combine cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, red wine, and 1/8 teaspoon salt for marinara in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times to puree. Set aside.

Step 3

Bring water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in polenta slowly, whisking constantly to ensure there are no lumps. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and butter.

Step 4

Pour 1/2 of the polenta into the prepared casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the sliced zucchini, overlapping slices slightly. Top zucchini with 1/2 of the marinara sauce, then sprinkle with 1/2 of the Italian-style cheese. Repeat layers one more time.

Step 5

Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until cheese on top is slightly brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.