Three-Cheese and Sausage Polenta Gratin

A trio of Italian cheeses--ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan--gives this hearty casserole recipe a cheesey gooeyness that balances the gutsy, sausage sauce.


Three-Cheese and Sausage Polenta Gratin

by 9  people


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Servings: Makes 8 servings.
Prep Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Related Categories: Casseroles, Sausage

 
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Ingredients
  • 2-1/2 cups
    chicken broth
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  • 3 tablespoons
    butter
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  • 2 cups
    milk
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  • 1-1/2 cups
    coarse-ground yellow cornmeal or quick-cooking polenta mix*
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  • 1 cup
    ricotta cheese
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  • 1 cup
    shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese (4 ounces)
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  • 1/2 cup
    finely shredded Asiago or Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
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  • 12 ounces
    sweet or hot bulk Italian sausage
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  • 1 8-ounce package
    fresh mushrooms, quartered
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  • 1 medium
    onion, cut into thin wedges
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  • 2 cloves
    garlic, minced
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  • 2 cups
    purchased tomato-basil pasta sauce
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  •  
    Fresh basil (optional)
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Directions
1.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside.
2.
In a large saucepan, bring broth and butter to boiling. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together milk and cornmeal. Slowly add cornmeal mixture to boiling broth, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture returns to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 10 minutes or until mixture is very thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in ricotta cheese cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the Asiago cheese until well mixed. Spread two-thirds (about 4 cups) of the polenta in the prepared baking dish; set aside.
3.
In a very large skillet, cook sausage, mushrooms, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in pasta sauce; heat through. Spoon sausage mixture over polenta in dish, spreading evenly. Dollop remaining polenta on top of sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Asiago cheeses.
4.
Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until top is lightly golden and set. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. If desired, garnish with fresh basil. Makes 8 servings.
5.
*Note: If using the quick-cooking polenta mix, once the polenta mixture returns to boiling in Step 2, cook and stir for only 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is very thick.

Nutrition information
Per serving: Calories 463, Total Fat 26 g, Saturated Fat 14 g, Monounsaturated Fat 9 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 80 mg, Sodium 1017 mg, Carbohydrate 33 g, Total Sugar 10 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 21 g. Daily Values: Vitamin A 0%, Vitamin C 17%, Calcium 33%, Iron 8%. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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