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    Oh My Veggies » Vegetarian Recipes

    4 Ways to Use Polenta Tubes

    Published: Feb 26, 2015 · by Nicole · Updated: Nov 1, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Mexican Baked Polenta with Salsa Beans and Sautéed Veggies

    So you bought a tube of polenta - now what? Here are a few of our favorite ways to use them.

    4 Ways to Use Polenta Tubes
    Jump to:
    • Top It With Fixins!
    • Make Fries With It
    • Use It As "Bread"
    • Make Lasagna With It
    • More Tasty Ideas
    • Comments

    My first job as a wee vegetarian was cashiering and sweeping up the bulk aisle at the natural foods co-op near my high school. I remember feeling cool (okay, looking back, maybe "cool" is not the right word) because I was in the know about every healthy product on the market.

    This was 1996, you guys; the general public barely knew what tofu was, let alone quinoa or cashew milk. Kale wasn't cool - in fact Beyoncé probably had yet to sample her first leaf!

    There was always one item that confounded me, though: those big tubes of prepared polenta. Everyone bought them and I had no clue why, nor did I ever think to ask.

    Well, one day I bought one and the lightbulb went off: These suckers are useful. Especially if you're gluten free, store-bought polenta is a lifesaver. Just slice; bake, grill or sauté; top; and serve.

    No stirring, no scraping cornmeal out of your pan later. Here are four of my all time favorite ways to use polenta tubes:

    Top It With Fixins!

    Mexican Baked Polenta with Salsa Beans & Sautéed Veggies Recipe


    Oh, fixins. How I love thee. Crispy, golden-brown polenta slices are the perfect base for a Southwestern-style bean-and-veggie pile. This Mexican Baked Polenta with Salsa Beans and Sauteed Veggies is the kind of dinner you can eat every week and never get sick of.

    Or use the delicious toppings from this Butternut Squash Polenta Bowl, but served it atop pan-friend polenta slices from the tube instead.

    You can always sub in whatever beans, veggies and cheese you have on hand to create a different flavor profile too. Get creative!

    You can even turn it into a dessert, like this vegan strawberry shortcake!

    Make Fries With It

    Baked Polenta Fries with Garlic Tomato Sauce Recipe

    There are so many wonderful dips and sauces in the world, but sometimes you need to mix up your dipping vehicle. As much as I'd like to eat French fries all the time, that's just not very healthy or practical. Nor can a woman live on baby carrots for eternity!

    Instead, I make baked polenta fries, which are perfect for dipping in tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought), aioli, mustard or any number of delicious condiments.

    Try these out on the kids next time they ask for fries. Oh, and they're basically the easiest thing ever: Cut polenta into fries, bake.

    Use It As "Bread"

    Grilled Polenta with Walnuts and Bleu Cheese - The Healthy Foodie
    Grilled Stuffed Polenta from The Healthy Foodie


    Polenta's crispy on the outside and soft on the inside when you bake or grill it, making it a perfect stand-in for toast. The Healthy Foodie's Grilled Polenta Stuffed with Bleu Cheese and Walnuts (pictured above) is like a polenta version of a beautifully browned grilled cheese.

    Or try using it as a veggie-burger or sandwich "bun," like these Polenta Burger Buns. Here are some veggie burger recipes to get you started.

    Make Lasagna With It

    Greek Polenta Lasagna
    Greek Polenta Lasagna

    Swap in thin slices of polenta for the noodle layers in your favorite lasagna recipe (or give this Greek Polenta Lasagna a try) and you've got a filling, hearty casserole with all those comforting flavors that everybody loves. It freezes really well, too!

    More Tasty Ideas

    If you're loving these delicious recipes, be sure to check out these other tasty ideas too:

    • 17 Vegetarian Dinners you can make with polenta!
    • Don't have store-bought polenta? Learn how to make your own polenta!
    • Gluten-Free Vegan Pantry Staples (like polenta!)
    « Collard Hummus Wraps with Golden Beets and Sprouts from Inspiralized
    9 Underrated Best Vegetarian Blogs »

    Cooking Tips & Hints, Recipe Round-Ups, Vegetarian Recipes 4 ways series, polenta

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

      February 26, 2015 at 10:20 am

      Love the fries and lasagna ideas!

      Reply
    2. Lynn says

      February 26, 2015 at 11:14 am

      I'm also loving the tubes because if you mash and add water or broth and simmer for a bit, you get back to the creamy polenta consistency that some of my recipes call for.

      Reply
    3. Emily says

      February 26, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      I never know WHAT to do with Polenta Tubes. Thanks for the great ideas!

      Reply
    4. Mandy says

      February 26, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Omg, this post is perfect for my boyfriend! Saving it now so I can show it to him! These look delish!

      Reply
    5. lynn @ the actor’s diet says

      February 28, 2015 at 1:10 am

      Great ideas! Sometimes I put mine in the waffle iron too.

      Reply
    6. [email protected] says

      March 04, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      I love these ideas! Polenta is certainly useful, but we usually end up just grilling it and having veggies on the side. The Mexican Baked Polenta and lasagna will be on our list this week for sure!

      Reply
    7. Oh Happy Dane says

      March 17, 2015 at 12:01 pm

      Nice with new ideas when it has to go fast!! Thanks!

      Reply
    8. kathy says

      August 30, 2015 at 6:00 am

      Thanks for your yummy recipes. I live overseas and I want to make my own polenta in a tube...how can I do that?
      thanks!
      Kathy

      Reply
      • Dana Raidt says

        September 02, 2015 at 5:13 pm

        Hi Kathy, I'm not sure how you would DIY the tube part, but you can definitely make polenta from scratch with cornmeal and water. If you buy cornmeal, there should be instructions on the box (or along with the bulk cornmeal if you buy in bulk) on the ratio to use. It's really easy on the stovetop!

        Reply

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    Nicole is a life long vegetarian and the author of the popular vegan cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. She loves sharing her recipes and showing the world just how easy and delicious meatless meals can be!
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