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Herby Zucchini Tomato Baked Polenta

June 2, 2017 by Emily Brees 6 Comments - This post may contain affiliate links.

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Juicy summer tomatoes and sliced zucchini top this easy, 30 min Baked Polenta. Finished with parmesan and fresh herbs – it’s like a slice of summer garden pie.

Slice of baked polenta topped with zucchini and tomatoes

Zucchini Polenta is like a big slice of pizza – just softer and creamier – comforting and easy to throw together. It’s a blank canvas for your favorite herbs and cheeses both mixed in and to top which makes it a versatile stand-by when you need something fresh and new for dinner.

tray of baked polenta

What is polenta?

It’s a dish made from corn grits – Italian corn grits to be exact.

Not the same as the Southern grits you can find in the South. It’s a different corn variety. It cooks pretty fast and as soon as it thickens up in the pot, you can season it with herbs and cheese, spread it in a rimmed baking sheet and top with vegetables and bake it to pizza pie perfection.

In this recipe I use Bob’s Red Mill polenta which is a coarser variety. This gives the baked polenta some structure. You can use finer polenta – just expect it to be more of a soft texture that you scoop into bowl rather than slice.

Baked Polenta with Zucchini and Tomatoes slice on plate

This Baked Polenta with Zucchini is topped with tomatoes which I marinate in olive oil, garlic and salt + pepper while the polenta thickens on the stove – it gives the baked polenta a bruschetta flavor. The polenta itself is mixed with dried basil, thyme and feta.


What else can you make with polenta?
Once baked, polenta can be cut into all shapes and sizes.

Try this amazing peach salsa to top rounds of polenta. It makes a great appetizer or light lunch option.

Or take leftover baked polenta, cube it into pieces and mix it up as a breakfast scramble or delicious mexican street corn bites.


Fresh herbs, garden zucchini + summer tomatoes make this Baked Polenta a fabulous summer dinner. It takes about takes 30 minutes to make and finished in the oven - baked to perfection with a topping of parmesan cheese. | #ZucchiniRecipes | #VegetarianDinnerIdeas | #HealthyRecipes at OatandSesame.com #oatandsesamePIN IT

5 from 2 votes
Print
Herby Zucchini Tomato Baked Polenta
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

Creamy, herb filled polenta with zucchini and tomatoes then baked with parmesan for a baked polenta dish that will warm your belly!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: polenta, zucchini recipes
Servings: 8
Calories: 290 kcal
Author: Emily Brees | OatandSesame
Ingredients
  • 2 cups polenta
  • 6.5 cups water
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • Olive oil
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 Tbs fresh thyme optional
  • 1 cup feta or other cheese
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt and pepper
  • 2 medium slicing tomatoes any tomatoes will work
  • 1 medium zucchini sliced into 1/4" thick round
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
  • 4 tsp minced garlic divided
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Season with 1 tsp salt and SLOWLY sprinkle polenta into water while whisking. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer gently (a slow bubble should pop here and there), stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until polenta thickens - about 15 minutes.
  2. While the polenta is cooking, slice veggies. Place sliced tomatoes in bowl with 1 tbs olive oil, a dash of salt and pepper and 1 tsp minced garlic. Toss and set aside. Season zucchini slices with a few dashes of salt and pepper as well, set aside.
  3. Coat a 9 x 13 sheet pan with olive oil, set aside.
  4. Once polenta has thickened, mix in 3 tbs olive oil, 3 tsp minced garlic, dried basil, onion powder, fresh thyme (optional), salt to taste and feta or other cheese. Scoop onto 9 x 13 sheet pan and spread into an even layer.
  5. Top with tomato and zucchini slices,
  6. Top with parmesan cheese, a couple grinds of salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
  7. Bake 350 for 15 min. or until zucchini is tender. Add more parmesan and herbs, if desired and serve.
  8. Wait 5 minutes to cool before cutting.
Notes

This is great as leftovers. Cut in squares and heat under the broiler until the edges are nice and crisp!

Nutrition Facts
Herby Zucchini Tomato Baked Polenta
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 290
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

pan of polenta with slice on plate

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Previous Post: « Greek Pasta Salad with Zucchini + Fresh Herbs
Next Post: Georgia Pecan Coffee Granola »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather LeGuilloux

    February 18, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    Bookmarked for later! I am always talking with my partner about making polenta for dinner and it never seems to happen so this is a fantastic recipe to try out. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    February 18, 2018 at 6:14 pm

    This sounds like it’s packed with flavor! Looks like a perfect opportunity to sneak some more veggies into a meal – perfection!

    Reply
  3. Jyothi

    February 18, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    I have a confession to make. I can’t stop eating polenta every time I cook. It’s become my most favorite. Oh my goodness, that polenta slice i’m sure is so much better than pizza slice! I’m gonna try this recipe soon. Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Emily

      February 18, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      I’m with you! Polenta is addicting! And even more so when you bake it like this! I saw a recipe for pan-fried polenta cubes in a breakfast scramble and I can’t wait to try that!

      Reply
  4. Natalie

    February 18, 2018 at 11:04 pm

    This dish looks gorgeous! I love the idea of baked polenta, I always make the cooked version, but this one looks absolutely delicious, with the zucchini and tomato topping. YUM!

    Reply
  5. Diana

    February 20, 2018 at 2:21 am

    I’ve never tried baked polenta before, but this looks sooo good with all veggies. Must try this!

    Reply

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I'm Emily - a home cook, gardener and recipe creator located in Flagstaff, AZ.

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