Baked Polenta: Polenta al Forno (Mario Batali) Recipe

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Baked Polenta: Polenta al Forno (Mario Batali)
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Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. In a 12 to 14-inch saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are browned and the fat runs freely from each sausage. Remove and discard the excess fat, then add the tomato sauce with the sausages, scraping the bottom to incorporate any browned bits. Season with salt and pepper, if necessary, reduce the heat to a low simmer, and cook, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  2. Remove the sausages from the sauce to a cutting board, slice, and set aside, along with the sauce.
  3. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat, and add the sea salt and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Stir in the cornmeal, a little at a time, whisking constantly to prevent the formation of lumps. Cook for 5 minutes, until the polenta comes away from the sides of the saucepan. Turn the polenta out onto a clean wooden board and allow to cool. Once it is cool, cut it into strips, using butcher's twine or a very sharp knife.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  5. Cover the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch oven-proof casserole or baking dish with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of polenta slices, then a layer of cheese, a layer of mozzarella, and a layer of sliced sausage. Repeat the process until all the ingredients have been used, ending with a layer of cheese. Bake in the oven 25 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
  6. Basic Tomato Sauce:
  7. In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and light golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the thyme and carrot and cook until the carrot is quite soft, about 5 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and their juice and bring to a boil, stirring often. Lower the heat and simmer until as thick as hot cereal, about 30 minutes. Season with salt, to taste.
  8. This sauce holds 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
  9. Yield: 4 cups
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Nutrition Facts

Per ServingPer 100 g
Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories 1001.77 Kcal (4194 kJ)
Calories from fat 474.24 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 52.69g 81%
Cholesterol 67.32mg 22%
Sodium 7615.54mg 317%
Potassium 1280.92mg 27%
Total Carbs 101.59g 34%
Sugars 19.93g 80%
Dietary Fiber 10.62g 42%
Protein 28.99g 58%
Vitamin C 16.8mg 28%
Vitamin A 3.6mg 121%
Iron 5.4mg 30%
Calcium 503.2mg 50%
Amount Per 100 g
Calories 98.56 Kcal (413 kJ)
Calories from fat 46.66 Kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5.18g 81%
Cholesterol 6.62mg 22%
Sodium 749.24mg 317%
Potassium 126.02mg 27%
Total Carbs 9.99g 34%
Sugars 1.96g 80%
Dietary Fiber 1.04g 42%
Protein 2.85g 58%
Vitamin C 1.7mg 28%
Vitamin A 0.4mg 121%
Iron 0.5mg 30%
Calcium 49.5mg 50%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

  • salty
  • savory
  • bitter
  • sweet
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Recipe Tags

Weightwatchers Points

  • 23.6
    Points
  • 26
    PointsPlus

Good Points

  • saturated fat free,
  • low cholesterol

Bad Points

  • High in Sodium

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