Polenta e Salsiccia (Creamy Polenta with Sausage Ragù)
Why this recipe works
- Creamy base: Cooking the polenta in milk and finishing it with butter and Parmesan gives it a smooth, rich texture that holds the ragù well.
- Deep savoury flavour: Browning the sausage before adding garlic, rosemary, wine and passata builds a fuller, more rounded ragù.
- Hearty and satisfying: The contrast of soft polenta and thick sausage sauce makes the dish filling without needing extra sides.
Get the most out of this recipe
Authenticity notes
- Homely Italian style: Polenta with sausage ragù is the kind of rustic, satisfying dish often served in deep bowls rather than plated formally.
- A natural pairing: Creamy polenta is a traditional partner for rich meat sauces because it absorbs flavour while keeping the dish soft and comforting.
- Cheese and wine variations: Pecorino can replace Parmesan for a sharper finish, while white wine gives the ragù a lighter profile than red.
Ingredient notes
- Choose well-seasoned sausage: Italian pork sausage gives the ragù its main seasoning, richness and texture, so avoid very lean sausage if you want a full-bodied sauce.
- Use good passata: A smooth, good-quality passata keeps the sauce glossy and tomato-rich without needing a long cooking time.
- Break up the sausage well: Crumbling the sausage as it browns helps it distribute evenly through the sauce rather than forming large pieces.
Texture tips
- For smoother polenta: Whisk the polenta into the simmering milk in a steady stream, then stir often so it hydrates evenly.
- Avoid a grainy finish: Keep the heat low once the polenta is added; a hard boil can make it thicken unevenly before the grains soften.
- Finish off the heat: Stir in the butter and Parmesan after removing the pan from the heat so the polenta turns glossy rather than greasy.
Make-ahead tips
- Store separately: Keep the ragù and polenta in separate airtight containers so the polenta does not absorb too much sauce as it sits.
- Reheat gently: Warm the ragù until piping hot, and loosen the polenta with a little milk while stirring until creamy again.
- Freeze the ragù: The sausage ragù freezes better than the polenta; frozen polenta may turn slightly grainy, so whisk it well when reheating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Sausage ragù
Creamy polenta
Instructions
- Put a large frying pan over medium heat and warm the olive oil. Finely chop the onion, add it with the salt, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
- Squeeze the sausage meat out of the skins into the pan and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until browned, then finely chop the garlic and add it with the rosemary leaves; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the red wine and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until reduced by about half. Stir in the passata and black pepper, then simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and rich.
- Meanwhile, bring the milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the polenta in a steady stream, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until smooth and thick.
- Take the polenta off the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan until glossy and creamy. Taste and adjust with a little more salt and pepper if needed, then spoon into bowls and top with the sausage ragù.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the ragù at the gentlest simmer so it reduces without catching; if it thickens too quickly, loosen with a splash of water and continue cooking.
- For extra-smooth polenta, whisk well as you add it to the hot milk, then switch to a wooden spoon and stir right into the corners of the pan.
- If serving vulnerable groups, ensure the sausage is cooked through and the ragù is piping hot before serving.
Substitutions
- Replace Parmesan with Pecorino Romano cheese for a sharper, saltier finish.
- Replace red wine with dry white wine for a lighter, brighter ragù.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool the ragù and polenta quickly, then refrigerate in separate airtight containers. Reheat the ragù in a saucepan over low heat until piping hot; reheat the polenta with a splash of whole milk, stirring until creamy again. Freeze the ragù for best results; polenta can be frozen but may turn grainy, so whisk well when reheating.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 3 servings
- Total time: 50min (35min active)
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cuisine: Italian
-
Allergens:
Milk
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