Creamy Polenta with Quick Beef Ragù
- Serves
- 4 servings
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Cost
- $13.50
- Nutrition
- 680 cal · 38g protein
- comfort-food
- kid-favorite
- freezer-friendly
- budget
- high-protein
🍳 1 pan · Picky-eater safe bet: raw veg on the side
Creamy Polenta with Quick Beef Ragù is a Italian weeknight dinner that serves 4 and is on the table in about 40 minutes, for around $14 in groceries. You'll need 1 pan, and the 11 ingredients below are everyday supermarket items. Cooking for a picky eater? Plain raw veg on the side works on its own for the one who won't try the rest. Add it to your week and the whole grocery list lands in your Instacart cart in one tap.
Goes with: Simple green salad (5 min)
Contains: Dairy— based on the ingredients; brands vary, so check labels.
Cookware you'll need
Set these out before you start — it saves hunting through drawers mid-recipe.
- 12-inch nonstick skilletDon't have one? Amazon →
- 3-quart saucepan with lidDon't have one? Amazon →
- Balloon whiskDon't have one? Amazon →
- Silicone spatula & turner setDon't have one? Amazon →
- Wooden spoonsDon't have one? Amazon →
Our kitchen essentials list · As an Amazon Associate, DinnerDrop earns from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 1 count carrot
- 1 count yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Steps
- Heat oil in a large skillet. Cook finely diced onion and carrot 5 minutes, then add beef and brown 7 minutes, breaking it up. Add garlic for 1 minute.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick.
- Meanwhile bring 4 cups salted water to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal, lower the heat, and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy (add splashes of water if needed).
- Stir butter and most of the Parmesan into the polenta.
- Spoon polenta into bowls, top with ragù, and finish with remaining Parmesan.
On the side: Simple green salad (5 min)
1 bag bagged salad greens, 1 bottle salad dressing
- Put the greens in a bowl and toss with dressing just before serving.
Nutrition per serving
- Protein
- 38 g
- Carbohydrates
- 64 g
- Fiber
- 8 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Fat
- 28 g
- Saturated fat
- 11 g
- Sodium
- 640 mg
Estimated from the ingredients and amounts in this recipe; brands and portions vary. Not medical or dietary advice.
Photo: DinnerDrop