One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew
A comforting stew combining savory Italian sausage with creamy polenta, simmered with tomatoes and herbs for a hearty meal. This italian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound Italian sausage links, tablespoons olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage links
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cornmeal (polenta)
- 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Remove casings from 1 pound Italian sausage links and crumble the meat. Add sausage to the pot and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 ounces crushed tomatoes and 4 cups chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk 1 cup cornmeal (polenta) into the simmering liquid. Stir continuously to prevent lumps. Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low and cook the polenta stew, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes until the polenta thickens and the stew is creamy.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and gently stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound italian sausage links from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pot Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew?
Italian one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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