Baked Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Dive into the comforting flavors of our Baked Polenta with Roasted Tomatoes and Mozzarella, a dish that marries the creamy texture of polenta with the vibrant tang of roasted tomatoes, all topped with meltingly delicious mozzarella.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Baking dish
- Whisk
- Oven
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup Polenta
- 4 cups Water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil plus extra for drizzling
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces Fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
- Fresh basil leaves A handful, chopped
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dried oregano
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly oil a baking dish and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta and salt, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the polenta is tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Spread the cooked polenta evenly into the prepared baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil. Place in the preheated oven to start baking.
- While the polenta is baking, toss the cherry tomatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet.
- Place the tomatoes in the oven with the polenta and roast until they are blistered and bursting, about 20 minutes.
- Remove both the polenta and the tomatoes from the oven. Arrange slices of mozzarella cheese over the polenta and return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once the cheese is melted, top the polenta with the roasted tomatoes, sprinkle with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot, allowing the flavors to meld together for a couple of minutes before digging in.
Notes
For a crispier polenta crust, pre-bake the polenta for an additional 10 minutes before adding the cheese.
If preferred, you can use a mix of different tomato varieties for added flavor and color.
This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven before serving, making it perfect for meal prep or entertaining.