Creamy Cheesy Polenta – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Creamy cheesy polenta is love at first bite! Buttery, soul-satisfying, and creamy, this cheese-laden polenta is perfect served alone or topped with any braised meat, vegetables, or stew.

Cheesy Polenta

Hands down, my favorite way to serve polenta is with chile verde. This Mexican Pork and Tomato Chile Verde is what my comfort food dreams are made of these days. If you’ve never had chile verde, or even if you have a classic recipe you love, you need to try this version.

I cooked large batches of both the above pork and tomato chile verde and classic pork chile verde, and I’m so very happy with the state of my refrigerator right now. I’ve eaten this polenta topped with chile verde several days in a row, and I even had it for breakfast today.

Polenta is a versatile dish that doesn’t get nearly enough play, in my opinion. Of course it’s well known, but a lot of folks seem to have the wrong idea that it’s fussy or difficult to make.

How to Cook Polenta

It’s not a difficult method at all! It’s important to remember three things though. First, slowly whisk the cornmeal into boiling liquid.

Second, return the mixture to a boil while still whisking. Third, remember to lower the heat and stir occasionally. You don’t need to babysit it too closely.

I served this cheesy stove-top polenta with the Mexican Pork Chile Verde I made earlier this week and it was the perfect match for the spicy saucy pork.

Cheese Polenta

To make this fabulously cheesy polenta, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• milk
• water
• kosher salt
• butter
• cornmeal
• Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

I said there were only three things to remember, but I’m going to correct myself and add one more. Please do not use self-rising cornmeal for polenta. You’ll be deeply disappointed if you try it.

Polenta with Cheese

Polenta a great side dish to make in advance. Simply cool the finished polenta, cover, and refrigerate. Reheat in the microwave, about 4-5 minutes on high. Stir vigorously to fluff after reheating. 

If you’re wondering what else you might want to serve with polenta, look no further than our chicken piccata. Can’t get enough polenta? Neither can I! Try out paprika manchego polenta and oven-baked polenta too!

{originally published 2/9/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/5/25}