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One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake

One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake

Listen, I love standing over a hot stove stirring a pot of creamy polenta for 45 minutes... said no one ever on a Tuesday night. My ultimate weeknight cheat code is that humble tube of pre-cooked polenta from the pasta aisle. We are slicing it up, tossing it into a single baking dish with smoky sausage, and letting the oven do all the heavy lifting. The sausage fat renders beautifully into the veggies, the polenta gets caramelized edges, and we blanket the whole situation in marinara and melted cheese for a dinner that feels like it took hours.

Elena Reyes
Elena Reyes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
4
easy
dinner
one-pancheat-code30-minute-mealcomfort-food+1

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Timeline

42 minutes
0m10m20m30m40m
Prep Ingredients
10m
Season and Toss
First Bake
15m
Shred Cheese & Clean
5m
Add Sauce & Cheese
Final Bake
10m
Rest and Garnish
5m

Ingredients

  • 1 18 oz tube pre-cooked tube polenta(Plain or garlic flavor both work brilliantly)
  • 14 oz smoked sausage(Kielbasa or Andouille, sliced into 1/2-inch coins)
  • 2 whole bell peppers(Any colors you like, chopped into bite-sized chunks)
  • 1 medium red onion(Roughly chopped)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup store-bought marinara sauce(Use the good stuff like Rao's)
  • 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese(Freshly grated melts best, but pre-shredded is fine for a weeknight)
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil(Torn, for garnish (optional))

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 425°F. On a large cutting board, slice 1 18 oz tube pre-cooked tube polenta into half-inch rounds, then cut each round into quarters. Slice 14 oz smoked sausage into coins, and roughly chop 2 whole bell peppers and 1 medium red onion.

    10 min

    Tip: Cutting the polenta into quarters creates more surface area to get nice and crispy in the oven.

  2. 2

    Transfer the chopped polenta, sausage, peppers, and onions into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Drizzle everything with 2 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1 tbsp Italian seasoning. Toss well right in the dish until everything is evenly coated.

    2 min

    Tip: No need to grease the pan beforehand; the olive oil and the fat from the smoked sausage will keep things from sticking.

  3. 3

    Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. We want the vegetables to soften and the sausage to start rendering its smoky fat all over that polenta.

    15 min

    Tip: Don't open the oven door to check on it—let that high heat work its magic.

  4. 4

    While the bake is in the oven, take a minute to shred your mozzarella if you didn't buy pre-shredded, wipe down your cutting board, and pour a glass of wine. You've earned it.

    5 min

    Tip: Block cheese melts smoother than bagged cheese because it doesn't have anti-caking agents, but I won't judge a bag of pre-shredded on a Tuesday.

  5. 5

    Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. Spoon 1 cup store-bought marinara sauce evenly over the top of the sausage and polenta mixture, then sprinkle an even layer of 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over everything.

    2 min

    Tip: Don't mix the marinara in! Just dollop it on top so the polenta underneath stays firm.

  6. 6

    Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. If you like crispy golden spots on your cheese, flip the broiler on for the last 2 minutes.

    10 min

    Tip: Watch closely if you use the broiler so the cheese doesn't burn.

  7. 7

    Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Top with 2 tbsp fresh basil before serving.

    5 min

    Tip: Resting helps the sauce thicken up just a bit so it's easier to scoop.

Chef's Notes

If you have some wilting spinach in the fridge, toss a handful into the dish when you add the marinara. It cooks right down and makes you feel exceptionally responsible. Also, this reheats beautifully for lunch the next day!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake take to make?

One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake takes about 35 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake?

The main ingredients are: pre-cooked tube polenta, smoked sausage, bell peppers, red onion, olive oil, Italian seasoning, store-bought marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, fresh basil.

What type of meal is One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake?

One-Pan "Cheat Code" Smoked Sausage & Polenta Bake is categorized as: dinner.