Skip to main content

Cheesy Polenta Pie

Dinner in an hour! This quick recipe can be easily customized to meet everyone's taste preferences.
Photo of Cheesy Polenta Pie
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 12 Cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

FILLING
½ pound lean ground beef (15% fat)
½ medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
1 can (15.5 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
1 ½ cups corn (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
1 Tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin 
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 4 cloves of garlic, minced
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper
 
TOPPING
1 cup yellow cornmeal
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 ½ cups water
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Brown meat and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees F in an electric skillet). Drain fat (see Notes).
  4. Add the rest of the filling ingredients.
  5. Reduce heat to low (250 degrees F in an electric skillet) and cover the pan.
  6. As the filling heats, mix cornmeal, salt, sugar and 1 teaspoon chili powder with water in a small saucepan.
  7. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in cheese.
  8. Spread topping over the filling.
  9. Cover and cook over low heat, with lid slightly ajar, until topping is set, about 10 minutes.
  10. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Substitute 1-2 Tablespoons taco seasoning mix for the last 6 ingredients in the filling.
  • Cook your own dry beans. One can (15 ounces) is about 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups drained beans.
  • One large ear of corn makes about 1 cup of cut corn.
  • Pour fat from cooked meat into a metal container. Let it cool, then dispose of it into a garbage can.

Comments

My family really liked this. I did make a few changes to the recipe.  I added one diced green bell pepper and started by sauteing the diced pepper and onion in a little oil to soften them before adding the rest of the ingredients. I used a 15 oz can of drained black beans in place of the ground beef.  I didn't have cornmeal so I used masa harina in its place and it worked out great.

Very hearty meal! Made vegetarian as well. Took longer to make than I anticipated but well worth the wait!

SUCH a great recipe!  For sure a Food Hero fav and super easy and all the kids loved it!  We served it with low fat sour cream and hot sauce.  Oh, and we made it vegetarian by substituting the meat for 1 cup of black beans.

This is a great way to feed a lot of people! Delicous and a lot of food for your money!

This is my favorite dinner recipe!!! My friends all love it too!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
Recipe image

Roasted Sugar Snap Peas

Roasted snap peas with savory soy make this 5 ingredient recipe a tasty and satisfying side dish or snack.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Fruit Shake 2 (with milk and yogurt)
Creamy fruit smoothie in a footed glass.

Fruit Shake 2 (with milk and yogurt)

A delicious homemade fruit-flavored shake for breakfast, snack or on-the-go!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Pesto
Small bowl of pesto served with scrambled eggs.

Pesto

Pesto is a bright green sauce that can be enjoyed many ways. Freeze extra to have for meals and to season soups and sauces all year.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ¼ cups
Pinto Bean Dip
Bean dip topped with jalapeno peppers served with baby carrots.

Pinto Bean Dip

A quick and easy bean dip that comes together in 5 minutes.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 ¼ cups
Black Bean Brownies (without flour)
Black bean brownies on a plate.

Black Bean Brownies (without flour)

Black beans are the special ingredient in these moist and not-too-sweet brownies.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
25 minutes
Makes:
16 pieces
Red Wine Vinaigrette
Jar of vinaigrette dressing served on a salad.

Red Wine Vinaigrette

A combination of Italian spices, bright vinegar and tangy mustard makes a dressing to use in a variety of dishes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
½ cup