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)

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
Succotash
Bowls filled with a variety of vegetables and okra.

Succotash

Combine sweet corn and tender lima beans with okra and tomato to make the perfect side dish of summer or any time of the year. Succotash is a blend of indigenous and African Heritage foods and we thank those who have shared this recipe with Food Hero.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 to 45 minutes
Makes:
5 ½ cups
Eggplant Dip
Eggplant dip garnished with parsley served with a vegetable and cracker plate.

Eggplant Dip

Try this easy eggplant recipe that everyone will love. It's kid-approved!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
1 ½ Cups
Beet Dip
A bowl of beet dip is served with jicama, carrot and celery sticks.

Beet Dip

Fresh earthy flavor combined with tangy lemon and creamy tahini makes this a flavorful and colorful dip!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Grape Salsa
Medium bowl of grape salsa shown with tortilla chips.

Grape Salsa

A sweet and savory salsa with a bit of spice.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Fabulous Fig Bars
Oat bars with a fig center on a serving platter.

Fabulous Fig Bars

Sweet and buttery treat with crunchy walnuts and a dash of citrus. For breakfast, snack or on-the-go!
Prepare:
45 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
24 bars (about 2.5 x 2 inches)