One-Pot Spicy Italian Sausage and Polenta Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-14 · Updated 2026-05-14

A hearty stew combining spicy Italian sausage with creamy polenta, simmered with tomatoes and herbs for a comforting meal. This Italian-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs Italian sausage, sliced, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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

• 12 oz Italian sausage, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup instant polenta
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
4. Step 4: Gradually whisk in 1 cup instant polenta, reducing heat to low. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the polenta thickens and absorbs the liquid.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and evenly combined. Serve hot.