Description
This Instant Pot Creamy Polenta with Spinach is a quick and delicious comfort food recipe that combines the creamy richness of polenta with the vibrant freshness of sautéed spinach. Using an Instant Pot makes the cooking process easy and hassle-free, resulting in a smooth, silky texture perfect for a satisfying meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Polenta Base
- 1 cup Coarse Cornmeal (stone-ground for authentic texture)
- 4 cups Low-Sodium Broth (or water to deepen flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Enrichments
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 tablespoon Butter
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 3 cups Fresh Spinach (packed)
- 1 clove Garlic (optional, finely minced)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Pour 4 cups of low-sodium broth, 1 cup of stone-ground cornmeal, and 1 teaspoon of salt into the Instant Pot. Stir gently to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Pressure Cook Polenta: Seal the lid of the Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 5 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any remaining steam.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Open the lid and stir vigorously while whisking in 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of butter until the polenta is silky smooth and creamy.
- Sauté Spinach and Garlic: Add 3 cups of packed fresh spinach and the optional minced garlic to the pot. Use the ‘Sauté’ mode to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until the spinach is bright green and wilted.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy polenta into bowls and let it rest for 1 minute. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper before serving.
Notes
- Using low-sodium broth instead of water adds a deeper flavor to the polenta.
- Stone-ground cornmeal yields the best texture for authentic polenta.
- The sauté step with spinach and garlic adds freshness and nutritional value.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the polenta will be less rich.
- For a vegan version, replace butter and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
