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Speedy Polenta

Creamy polenta cooked in the microwave using the glass Anyday dish, ensuring a smooth and rich texture with minimal effort. Enjoy a quick and comforting side dish or base for your favorite toppings, ready in minutes.
David Chang makes polenta in the microwave
PT5M PT6M

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

6-7 mins

Free Time

for a living room dance party

Sometimes you’re in the mood for something that’s lighter than pasta and creamier than rice. Polenta (coarsely ground cornmeal) is the Goldilocks of grains for that craving. Cooking in the microwave makes this difficult-on-the-stove dish easily achievable on a weeknight. Simmered simply in water and milk, it’s the perfect canvas for hearty bolognese, braised stew, or tomato sauce.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

American, Rice & Grains, Corn Grits/Polenta, Gluten-free, Vegetarian, group__ Getting Started with Anyday, All Recipe Videos, Deep Dish Rice & Grains

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1-2
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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (75g) polenta, yellow or white corn
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk, heavy cream, or sour cream
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

  1. Add the polenta and water in a Anyday Deep Dish and stir to combine.
  2. Cook uncovered in the microwave for 6-7 minutes, or until the water has been fully absorbed and the polenta has a creamy texture but is slightly runny.
  3. Once cooked, add the milk, salt, and butter and cook for 1-2 minutes, then stir again until creamy. The longer polenta sits, the thicker it gets. Add more milk or cream as needed.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Adjust the power level by 1 as needed — increase if it’s taking longer than expected, or decrease if it’s bubbling over.
  • For extra creaminess, stir in a spoonful of sour cream or creme fraiche at the end.

Recipe notes

  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.