Welcome to October!! We're in full fall mode over here on WGC and these Sausage Ragu Polenta Bowls are the perfect way to officially kick off the season here!
If you're like me, and often times forget about Polenta as the base of a bowl recipe, we need to remedy that habit! I always forget how perfect a bowl of polenta can be. It's so easy, comes together quite quickly and can be flavored any which way to make your meal shine.
The base of this Sausage Ragu Polenta Bowl situation is a creamy mascarpone polenta that's made with semolina! It's soft and fluffy and it really can be the base of so many recipes. Drizzle it with a basil vinaigrette - done. Add a spoonful of ratatouille - you're in business. It's the perfect base for a bowl recipe in the fall and winter months.
Ok now let's talk about this Sausage Ragu which is made with Spicy Italian Sausage and let me tell you... it's incredible. You could do sweet Italian sausage if you prefer. Or a fennel based sausage. But the fat that is rendered from the sausage gives this so much flavor! Make it. Eat it. Freeze it for the future. You'll be obsessed.
Hot tips when it comes to freezing a ragu: it's absolutely a great idea and once it's fully cooked, transfer it to a freezer safe container and let it cool before putting on the lid. Then add the lid and store in the freezer for a few months. My favorite way to re-heat it is by taking it out a day before and letting it come to temp in the fridge. Then adding a little bit more red sauce and re-heating in a nonstick skillet. THE MORE YOU KNOW! Have at it friends! xx
Sausage Ragu Polenta Bowls
Ingredients
For the Polenta
- 3 cups whole milk, plus more as needed
- 1 cup Semolina Flour
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 4 ounces parmesan cheese, shredded
- fresh thyme or basil to garnish
For the Sausage Ragu
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 ½ lbs spicy Italian Sausages, casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- ½ - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 24-ounce jar marinara sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 lemon, zested
- grated parmesan
Instructions
For the Sausage Ragu
- Place a saucepan over a medium heat and heat the oil. Saute the onion until soft, roughly 7-8 mins. Add the sausage, breaking up with the back of a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and thyme, and cook for 1 min more. Pour in the marinara and heavy cream, and simmer for 20 mins.
- Remove from heat, add in lemon zest and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Best to let cool slightly before adjusting the salt and pepper.
For the Polenta
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring milk to a simmer. Slowly whisk in semolina flour. Continue whisking until thickened, about 2 minutes. If too thick, continue to add milk until desired consistency. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted, then add mascarpone and parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
To Serve
- Transfer polenta to a serving bowl with a heaping serving of the sausage ragu. Top with extra parmesan, and tons of freshly cracked black pepper. Garnish with fresh thyme.
This was delicious!
Thank you for this great recipe. I made enough to take to my parents and my son and daughter in laws homes. Both households are in love with it.
Could you sub corn meal for semolina flour?
Perfect weeknight cozy food. Served with an arugula salad.
Wow! Made this for dinner tonight and it was excellent!! It came together so fast, and everyone wanted seconds - even the kids. Will absolutely make again!
This sounds absolutely amazing Gaby! Big fans of Italian sausage. Thank you for All of your wonderful recipes, hints and advice.
What a fabulous combination!! Really looking forward to this one!
I would like to respectfully suggest that the directions should 1) give the sausage and sauce amounts in weight since 6 and a jar is definitely not specific enough and 2) also indicate that the sausage casings should be removed. Thanks.
noted!
I’m dying to make this, is there any good substitute for mascarpone? For some reason it’s hard for me to find this where I live!
you can use cream cheese! or omit and sub a bit of heavy cream
I was watching your story and you had used greens instead of polenta. Any and all cooking suggestions, ingredients, etc. you can share for the greens I would so appreciate.
greens are here: https://whatsgabycooking.com/simple-sauteed-greens/
Do you mean marinara when you say "Pour in the Mezzetta"? Just want to make sure I understand! This recipe sounds delish!!!
Mezzetta is a brand of marinara
correct