Meat Sauce with Polenta Cubes

Step 1

In a medium pot, bring 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup polenta, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy, about 15 minutes.

Step 2

Pour the cooked polenta into a greased 9x9 inch baking dish, smooth the top, and let it cool until firm, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, start the sauce.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 8 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the 15-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.

Step 6

Cut the cooled polenta into 1-inch cubes. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and fry the cubes until golden and crispy on all sides, about 8 minutes total.

Step 7

Serve the crispy polenta cubes topped with the hot meat sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley if you have it.