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)

Glass of Sunshine Flavored Water
Pitcher of ice water with orange wedges.

Glass of Sunshine Flavored Water

Easy, homemade flavored water. So refreshing!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
0
Makes:
8 cups
Superhero Shepherd's Pie
Plate of a ground beef and vegetable mix with a layer of mashed potato on top.

Superhero Shepherd's Pie

Try this mix of vegetables and ground beef topped with mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
60 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Savory Oatmeal
Bowl of cheesy oatmeal topped with chopped tomatoes.

Savory Oatmeal

Savory oatmeal is a delicious and comforting meal that can be customized to use ingredients you have on hand.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread
Slices of moist zucchini bread.

Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread

A warm and tasty sweet treat that’s packed with veggies, warm cinnamon and crunchy nuts.
Prepare:
15 to 20 minutes
Cook:
45 to 60 minutes
Makes:
16 slices
Stovetop Sorghum
Big bowl of small sorghum pellets.

Stovetop Sorghum

This nutrient-rich grain has a sweet and nutty flavor.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
2 ½ cups
Pineapple Veggie Chicken
Medium bowl of chicken, pineapple and vegetables in broth served with rice.

Pineapple Veggie Chicken

Chicken breast simmered in a sweet and tangy broth with a hint of citrus, garlic and ginger.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups