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Polenta Lasagna

  • Prep Time -
  • Cook Time -
  • Serves 2
Martha Stewart

Recipe Provided By: Martha Stewart

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Average (134 Ratings): 3.5 out of 5 stars

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1. Ingredients

  1. 1/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
  2. 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  3. 1 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  4. 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
  5. 1 small stalk celery, strings removed and finely chopped
  6. 1/2 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
  7. 1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
  8. 3 ounces ground sirloin
  9. 3 ounces ground veal
  10. 3 ounces ground pork
  11. Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  12. 1/2 cup dry red wine
  13. 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
  14. 2 cups homemade chicken stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
  15. 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  16. Olive oil, for pan
  17. 2/3 cup instant polenta, plus
  18. 1 tablespoon instant polenta
  19. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  20. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for surface
  21. 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  22. 1 cup milk, plus
  23. 3 tablespoons milk, plus more for thinning if needed
  24. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  25. 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  26. 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed
  27. 10 tablespoons fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Nutrition Info

Per Serving

  • Calories: 1095 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 75 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 10 g
  • Fat: 61 g
  • Protein: 55 g
  • Sugars: 16 g

About: Nutrition Info

Powered by: ESHA Nutrient Database

2. Cooking Directions

  1. Make the sauce: Place porcini in a small bowl, and cover with 1/2 cup boiling water. Let soak 15 minutes. Lift mushrooms out of water, chop medium fine, and set aside. Strain the liquid through cheesecloth; set liquid aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add all meats, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper; raise heat to high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until meat has browned, about 4 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, stock, chopped porcini, reserved porcini liquid, and nutmeg. Lower heat to medium low, and slowly simmer, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes; much of the liquid will evaporate, but the sauce should be very moist, with several tablespoons of liquid remaining. The sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
  4. Make the polenta: Lightly brush a 3-by-5-inch mini loaf pan with oil; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 2/3 cups water to a boil, and add salt. While constantly whisking, add polenta in a slow, steady stream. When all the polenta has been added, immediately reduce heat to low, and let simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Remove polenta from heat, pour into prepared pan, and smooth the surface (an offset spatula works well). Let stand until cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 4 hours. Can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.
  6. Make the bechamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring frequently, 5 to 6 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring milk and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk milk into the flour mixture until completely incorporated and smooth. Add nutmeg, and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  8. Rub butter over the surface of the bechamel; this will prevent a skin from forming. The bechamel can be prepared up to this point 2 days in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. When ready to use, warm sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, whisk in about 2 tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
  9. Assemble the lasagna: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat; add spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until wilted and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and drain in a colander. Squeeze out all water, finely chop, and set aside.
  10. Unmold polenta onto a clean surface. Using a serrated knife, trim the block of polenta to a length of 4 inches. Turn polenta on its side; slice 6 pieces as thin as possible (they should be less than 1/8 inch thick).
  11. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spread 5 tablespoons of the meat sauce into each of two 12-ounce ovenproof casseroles. Cover with 1 slice of polenta, and spread 3 tablespoons of meat sauce evenly over. Spread 2 tablespoons of bechamel over the meat sauce, and evenly distribute 2 tablespoons of the chopped spinach over the bechamel. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, and cover with 1 slice of polenta. Repeat the layering process (3 tablespoons meat sauce, 2 tablespoons bechamel, 2 tablespoons spinach, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1 piece polenta). Spread 1 heaping tablespoon of bechamel sauce over the final layer of polenta, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of Parmesan, and dot with 1/4 teaspoon butter. These can be prepared up to this point a day in advance; cover and refrigerate. (If lasagnas are prepared ahead and refrigerated, let them stand at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.)
  12. Bake until tops of lasagnas are golden brown and juices are bubbling, about 20 to 25 minutes. If tops are not yet brown, increase heat to broil and place lasagnas under broiler until tops are speckled brown. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 2 servings

3. Still Hungry?

These individual lasagnas make a special meal for two. They take some time to prepare but can be completely assembled in advance. Instant polenta is also called Italian cornmeal; it is available in many supermarkets and specialty stores.

Rate This Recipe

Average (134 Ratings): 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Most Helpful Reviews

View all 21 Reviews | Write a Review

  • Well it is a

    Lacey H - October 22, 2007 01:57:44 PM PST
    I would have to agree- someone just needed a recipe for this week and cut a paste this one..way too complicated for an "easy meal!"

    The only thing that woman and her team does is have time to dream up super complicated recipes like this. I would just take the idea of the polenta in place of the lasagna noodles and do everything the same as you normally make lasagna.

    You can buy things of polenta already made up in the organic sections of grocery stores (not refridgerated), its inexpensive and you just have to slice it up -SO MUCH EASIER!!

    7 of 8 found this review helpful.

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  • AGREE...

    chickie - October 18, 2007 02:31:05 PM PST
    was interested, but i cant take a day off from work to buy and prepare this!!

    5 of 6 found this review helpful.

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  • looks good but..

    Carolyne A... soon to be B! - July 23, 2007 08:16:43 PM PST
    Could you possibly squeeze one more ingredient in this recipe? It would be cheaper to go out to dinner than buy all of these...

    5 of 6 found this review helpful.

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  • easy? hmmm...

    Joanne - October 22, 2007 05:25:06 PM PST
    Would you please define easy? I don\'t know 1/2 the ingredients up there besides, I\'m living in Singapore... i guess I can\'t find like a quarter or them also... Porcini Mushrooms? Polenta? I\'ve never heard of them! shees...

    4 of 5 found this review helpful.

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  • WELL...

    Pizza Man - October 21, 2007 07:13:57 PM PST
    Good thing this is scheduled for a Sunday as it will take all day to prepare and make it.


    K.I.S.S. Isn\'t this supposed to be a listing of simple meals for the week. Next week, Peking Duck!

    4 of 6 found this review helpful.

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