Gluten Free Cheesy Polenta with Crispy Onions

This gluten free cheesy polenta with crispy onions is definitely a comfort food side dish!

This Cheesy Polenta with crispy onions will make you say YUM!  It is creamy and delicious!  Definitely a comfort food!  You can make it thick and serve it cut into squares or make it thin as I did and add cheese and serve it with a delicious braised meat over the top. 

Polenta is ground corn into a meal.  You make it by boiling it in water with salt.  There is quite a bit of stirring involved but I promise it will be worth every bit of the arm workout! 

What do you need to make this cheesy polenta recipe?

You will need some polenta or cornmeal.  I used Arrowhead Mills and will link it under the Amazon shopping space below.  You will also need some water, salt, butter and cheese   As well as a yellow onion chopped up and fried in a skillet with some butter and oil.  That’s it!  Easy Peasy!  About 40 minutes later and Voila cheesy polenta with crispy onions is ready! 

How Do I Make This Cheesy Polenta Recipe?

Here’s the step by step on how to make this Cheesy Polenta. 

First, add the 5 cups of water to the pot and turn on the heat to medium-high.   

Pour in 1 Cup of cornmeal.  Whisk. Add a pinch of salt.  Whisk. 

Bring to a boil while whisking every 5-10 minutes so it doesn’t burn to the bottom of your pot.  Put the lid on so you don’t have a big mess or get burnt from the popping cornmeal. 

Once it has thickened and cooked for about 35 minutes taste it to make sure it is cooked. Whisk. 

In a pan start to cook your onions.  Chop one yellow onion and add it to the pan with a TBSP of butter and a drizzle of olive oil so the butter doesn’t burn.  Saute until crispy. 

Back to the Polenta: Add 1/3 Cup of butter.  Whisk.

Add 1 Cup of shredded cheese of your preference.  I used Dubliner because that is what I had in my fridge.  Whisk.

Add S & P and you guessed it whisk. 

Pour into your serving bowl and top with crispy onions. 

Enjoy! 




What Should I Serve This With?

I made my Braised Beef Ribs recipe and served it with this polenta and a delicious salad.   I wanted to make the slow cook version in my dutch oven so our guests could see that version.  

Here are some other ideas:

Braised beef ribs in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Ribs

Pressure Cooker Tri Tip



Here’s The Full Recipe:
Cheesy Polenta with Crispy Onions
This delicious comfort food is the perfect side dish to any braised meat or steak.  It is so yummy! 


INGREDIENTS  

• 5 cups water
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 cup Cheese- I used Dubliner shredded
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 1 TBSP butter
• 1 drizzle EVOO or Avacado oil
• 1 pinch S & P

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Add the water to the pot and turn to medium-high heat. 
• Pour the cornmeal into the water and whisk. 
• Bring to a boil stirring every 5 – 10 minutes.  Put the lid on as it goes so you don’t get popped with the cornmeal.
• In a pan, saute the yellow onion with 1 TBSP butter and drizzle of oil.  Cook until crispy.  Set aside.
• Once the cornmeal is thick and cooked (about 35 min) Add butter and shredded cheese.  Whisk.
• Add S & P and whisk again.
• Pour into your serving dish and sprinkle the crispy onions over the top.
• Enjoy!  If you wanted to make the thicker loaf like polenta, add about 31/2 cups of water in the beginning 

Hope you enjoy this Cheesy Polenta with crispy onions as much as we do! 

As Always,

Best Wishes for Gluten Free Dishes!

XO,
​
Michelle