Classic Italian Polenta with Parmesan and Sage Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Smooth and creamy polenta enriched with Parmesan cheese, finished with a fragrant sage-infused butter sauce. This Italian-inspired gluten-free recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 40 minutes, pairs water, coarse cornmeal (polenta), salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 cups water
1 cup coarse cornmeal (polenta)
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8 fresh sage leaves
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Gradually whisk in 1 cup coarse cornmeal, reducing heat to low. Cook gently, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, for 25-30 minutes until thickened and creamy.
Step 3: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Step 4: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 8 fresh sage leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes until the butter is fragrant and the leaves are crisp.
Step 5: Pour the sage butter over the polenta, season with 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and serve immediately as a comforting side or base for your favorite dishes.