Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables
A comforting sheet pan dish featuring creamy polenta baked alongside a medley of roasted fresh vegetables from your local region. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs coarse polenta, water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 cup coarse polenta
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds zucchini
- 1 large, cut into 1-inch pieces red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into wedges red onion
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water and 1 tsp salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup coarse polenta and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Step 2: While the polenta cooks, toss 1 sliced zucchini, 1 large chopped red bell pepper, 1 sliced red onion, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes with 3 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Spread the vegetables evenly on a large sheet pan.
- Step 3: Spread the cooked polenta in an even 1/2-inch layer on the sheet pan with the vegetables. Sprinkle 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese over the top.
- Step 4: Roast everything in the oven for 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized, and the parmesan forms a golden crust. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 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 Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables?
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 coarse polenta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables?
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 Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables 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.
Is Sheet Pan Polenta with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.