Imagine a dish that combines the rich, hearty flavors of ground pork with the creamy, luxurious texture of polenta - a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal. This Pork and Polenta Bake is not just a recipe; it's a journey through Italian-inspired comfort food that promises to tantalize your senses and become an instant family favorite. With layers of melted cheese, savory marinara, and perfectly seasoned pork, this dish is about to revolutionize your dinner routine.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 cup polenta
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure that the oven is hot enough to cook the dish evenly.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the 4 cups of chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. This will be the base for your polenta.
- Once the broth is boiling, gradually whisk in the 1 cup of polenta. Reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk until the polenta thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and season the polenta with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup) until well combined. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the 1 pound of ground pork. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Once the pork is cooked, drain any excess fat and stir in the 1 cup of marinara sauce and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the polenta mixture evenly on the bottom. This will create a base for your bake.
- Layer the cooked pork mixture over the polenta in the baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top the pork mixture with the remaining polenta, spreading it out to cover the pork completely.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese and the rest of the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the polenta layer.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This will help the cheese melt and the flavors to meld.
- After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Once done, remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving. This will make it easier to cut and serve.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious Pork and Polenta Bake!
Tips
- Use high-quality chicken broth for the most flavorful polenta base.
- Continuously whisk the polenta to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth texture.
- Drain excess fat from the pork to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley as a garnish.
- If the top isn't browning evenly, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Experiment with different cheese blends to customize the flavor profile.
- Ensure your oven is properly preheated for consistent cooking results.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 85mg
