This Creamy Vegan Polenta with Mushrooms, Spinach and Pine nuts makes an easy gluten-free lunch or dinner that is plant-based, healthy and ready in only 15 minutes. It’s also perfect as side dish and you can serve it with any vegetables you like.
My perfect simple weeknight meal is usually packed with vegetables and whole foods, that fills me up, and tastes delicious. I really LOVE pasta and risotto, but sometimes it even happens to me that I want to eat something different. Then this easy Creamy Vegan Polenta bowl comes just right! Honestly, I make it so often because itโs such a perfect meal that you can cook anytime with less effort! To make it even simpler, I prefer using finely ground polenta, which takes only 2 minutes to cook.
How to make a creamy dreamy and yummy Vegan Polenta
The first time Iโve made polenta, it was somehow very boring. But after trying some different variations, I fell in love with this delicious dish! Itโs so versatile because you can combine it with any veggies and flavors. Anyways, I like it best served with mushrooms, spinach, and toasted pine nuts. To make it super creamy I use coconut milk but you can also use any other plant-based milk of choice.
Vegan Polenta with Mushrooms and Spinach
I am probably the biggest fan of Mushrooms and Spinach. Thatโs why I love adding these vegetables to any kind of savory meals, such as Gnocchi, Pasta, Risotto, Dumplings, Empanadas and more. I also like to use them as topping for my beloved Avocado Toast or homemade Pizza. I mean, nothingโs better than loading your meal with veggies that are tasty, flavorful, and also healthy, right?
This Creamy Vegan Polenta is:
- Gluten-free
- Plant-based
- Dairy-free
- Easy to make
- Super creamy
- Flavorful
- Absolutely delicious
- Perfect as a main dish or side dish
Toasted Pine Nuts for an extra tasty flavor (or use options)
Pimp your meal with toasted pine puts! Trust me, theyโll add such an amazing flavor! I totally love their nutty taste and would never omit them. If youโre allergic to nuts, donโt worry. You can use toasted seeds or grains, such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, buckwheat, etc. instead. Also, toasted gluten-free bread crumbs taste great as a topping.
Feel free to choose the ingredients you like. There are so many possibilities and ways how you can serve your Creamy Vegan Polenta. Just be creative!
Creamy Vegan Polenta with Mushrooms and Spinach
Author:Ingredients
Polenta (Basic Recipe):
- 1 cup polenta (150 g) (see recipe notes*)
- ยพ cup full-fat coconut milk* (200 ml)
- 1 ยผ cup vegetable broth (300 ml)
- 2-3 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes or vegan parmesan cheese (optional)
Mushroom Spinach Topping:
- 1 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 7 oz mushrooms (200 g) sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cups spinach roughly chopped
- salt, black pepper to taste
- 2-3 tbsp pine nuts (options see text above)
Instructions
*Note: Check out the recipe video for visual instruction!
Polenta:
- Bring coconut milk and vegetable broth to a boil in a pot. Stir in polenta by using a whisk.
- Reduce heat to a low simmer and continue to whisk for 1-2 minutes to avoid lumps.
- Then cover and let simmer for about 10 minutes (or according packaging instructions*), stirring occasionally. (If the polenta thickens too much you can add additional milk and/or water and stir to thin.)
- Once the Polenta is creamy and smooth, remove from the stovetop. Add nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan and stir (optional).
Mushroom Spinach Topping:
- Heat oil in a skillet or pan. Add mushrooms along with onions and fry for about 3 minutes on high heat or until beginning to get golden-brown.
- Add minced garlic and roast for 30 seconds longer. Then add soy sauce and spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of fresh lime juice, if you like.
- Toast pine nuts in a small pan without oil until lightly browned.
- Serve polenta with mushrooms, spinach and pine nuts.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- To make it even simpler and creamier, I prefer using finely ground polenta, that takes only 2 minutes to cook. If using regular yellow corn grits please read the cooking time stated on the package. Otherwise you could also use cornmeal.
- Instead of coconut milk you can add any plant-based milk. Add 1 tbsp vegan butter, if using low-fat milk.
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Easy yet so satisfying โฃ๏ธ We had it for dinner and my hubby literally licked every bit of the sauce of the sautรฉed veggies…well – actually he dipped our homebaked sourdough bread in it. Definitely a winner! And comfort food at its best โฃ๏ธ
Yay, that’s great! So glad you love it!
Thank you so much! ๐ โก
Oh my goodness! I have never had polenta before and couldnt imagine what this was going to taste like. Definately a favorite now! If you are not sure I encourage you to do it!!
So glad you loved it!
Thank you so much! ๐ โก
So easy and so delish! We licked the plates clean. Would definitely make it again!
Thatโs great! So glad you loved it!
Thank you so much! ๐
Happy new year! โก
Loved this easy to make vegan dinner. Added a red leaf lettuce tossed salad and dinner was ready in no time.
I have a soy allergy so used Naked Coconut soy free soy sauce substitute. It worked out well. Loved the nutritional yeast added to polenta and on top of salad for added Protein.
Will definitely make again ๐
So glad it worked well and you love it! โค๏ธ
Thank you so much! ๐
This recipe is a staple in my home! We have it almost every week. So delicious and you just canโt go wrong! Thanks Bianca ๐ x
Yay, thatโs amazing! I am so glad you enjoyed it! <3
Thanks for the great feedback, my dear Sophie! ๐
I am really not a mushroom fan so this recipe was a risk for me, but oh man did it pay off! I can’t believe I’d never thought to make polenta with coconut milk before, but the end result was absolutely delicious, especially next to the soy sauce-y vegetables. Plus the whole recipe comes together super quickly and easily. This one is definitely entering my rotation!
PS: I posted my recipe result photo here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlAd1mginw/
That’s a great idea! Thanks! ๐
So glad you enjoyed it! <3
Absolutely amazing, yummy and nourishing! Thank you!
Yay, that’s amazing! I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the great feedback! ๐
So so yummy! I used almond milk instead of coconut and lots of lime and coriander or cilantro. Delicious!
Yay, thatโs awesome, Emma! I am so glad you loved it. Thanks for your lovely feedback. ๐
Absolutely delicious dish! Polenta is very creamy and smooth because of the coconut milk and broth, garlic and soy sauce gives a rich taste to the dish. Very easy to make!
So glad you enjoyed this polenta!
Thanks for your feedback! ๐
Super easy to make but super satisfying and yummy. Even my picky husband cleared off his plate! Thanks
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! ๐
Polenta in my country is called sadza or pap. We make it so that it’s solid enough to hold as a ball in your hands. I like experimenting with it as well. Maybe one day you might try the version you can eat with your hands.
Sounds really exciting!
Will definitely try it! ๐
I loooove this recipe!
I did leave the coconut milk out. Since i had a gastric bypass i can not digest it properly. But i still adores this dish and i am gonna make it many times more! I even shared it with my sister and she is gonna make it too.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you! ๐
Wishing you all the best! โค๏ธ
OMG, you are amazing! I was so excited to stumble upon your blog that I spent three hours reading and copying your recipes to my tablet and then, of course, subscribed. I’ve been a vegetarian for over 30 years and am always looking for new foods to try and inspiring ways to prepare them. I’m retired and spend a significant amount of time reading vegetarian and vegan blogs, and I have never been so Inspired!!! I know I’ll be having lots of fun and inventive yummy meals for months. I counted how many recipes I copied so far that I feel I must try, and I came up with 48! I started with this polenta dish because I had all the ingredients in house, also because it’s been a favorite food since childhood. My family of Italian ladies, who could make you swoon over the simplest preparations, used to make what they called mush. They would cover a dinner plate with the soft polenta, top it with a long-simmered marinara and freshly grated aged cheeses imported from Italy. When one of the ladies made mush, word spread and we would all descend on her kitchen to slurp and laugh, very fond memories. I didn’t mean to write a novel, sorry. One brief mention. I only had coarse ground polenta, Bob’s Red Mill, and it was still creamy and smooth. I recently followed their instructions for making it in the slow cooker with vegetable broth, literally add to cooker, set and forget, no stirring, and it was perfect. Well, time to peruse which Bianca creation to make for tonight’s dinner. Thank you for these treasures and for the artistry with which they’re presented.
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! So glad you enjoyed this dish! ๐
I loved reading your novel! ๐ You’re such a lovely person! <3
Best, Bianca
I tried this polenta, as many other recipes from Biancaโs book and I absolutely love it!!
My family is not vegan and everyone liked it including my Grandpa โบ๏ธโค๏ธ
Super easy to make and delicious!
So glad everyone loved this polenta! Thank you so much ๐
This was super yummy! I enjoyed having polenta this way. Like grits, I guess. …This could easily be breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Having a 3 yr old, I’m always a fan of simple and fast, nutritious recipes. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback! So glad your little one loves this recipe, too! ๐ <3
Yum! Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed this polenta! Thank you ๐
First-time Polenta eater and I’m not surprised that you smashed it with this simple quick recipe Bianca. I am new to a plant-based diest and I have used a few of your recipes so far. The quality of the flavours has helped me to transition easier than I thought I would. Thankyou you Bianca.
Hi Glyn, so glad you love this creamy vegan polenta so much! Thank you for your amazing feedback! Lots of love, Bianca <3
The easiest recipe and soooo yummy!! The combo of the creamy polenta and the toasted nuts is incredible, and you can literally eat it with anything. Iโm in love with your blog and recipes, it makes my new journey as a vegetarian way more easy and enjoyable. Thanks again โค๏ธ ๐
Hi Beatriz, so glad you love this creamy vegan polenta and my other recipes! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! ๐ <3
Iโm going to try this but the ratios donโt look right? Usually there is one part polenta to 4 parts water?
Hi Katie, the recipe works exactly as written. It’s one of my best and most popular easy vegan recipes. I hope you’ll love it as much as my I and my other readers do! ๐
I tried this recipe with my 16 year old daughter (vegan) and it was a WIN!!!! Loved the flavors and creaminess with the toasted nuts and richness of the onions and mushrooms. PERFECT for cold days and cozy comfort food with wine and a sappy movie!
Hi Danielle, so glad to hear that you loved this recipe! Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! Lots of love, Bianca <3
Great recipe! Quick and delicious! love the coconut milk and soy sauce combo. thank you!
So glad that you liked this creamy polenta! Thank you for your feedback! ๐
My first time trying Polenta… I only knew of its existence a week ago! Thank you for a marvelous recipe. This is going to become a weekly item on our menu.
So glad you like this polenta recipe! Thank you so much! ๐
How many should this dish serve?
It serves 2 people ๐
Loved this polenta recipe!!
I have had polenta sitting in my pantry for ages and unsure what to do with it.
Then I saw this recipe!
Had to add more liquid to the polenta but the flavours were perfect!
๐๐๐
So happy you enjoyed this vegan creamy polenta too! I totally love this recipe and it’s so easy! ๐ Thank you so much for your comment! <3
This was so easy and quick to make. My Mushrooms were not smelling the best so I subbed yellow zucchini, asparagus and frozen spinach. I had to add a lot more liquid as my cornmeal was very coarse. My daughter loved this also. We served it for breakfast.
So glad you love this recipe! Thank you so much! โค๏ธ
This was amazing! Complex taste, simple prep – perfect! I subbed in cashews for the pine nuts since itโs what w had on hand. Yummy!
Thank you so much! So happy that you liked this creamy polenta recipe too! You should definitely try it with pine nuts next time ๐
Just made this recipe – so simple and sooo good! I added one clove of garlic to the topping because we love it. Thank you!
So happy that you liked it! ๐ And I love garlic too ๐ Thank you! <3
Soooo good! I used almond milk was just fine. Perfect balance, lime is necessary. Pine nuts give it texture. Loved it!
Thank you! ? So glad that you liked it! <3
So easy and delicious ??
Thank you ๐
This recipe was absolutely delicious! It was simple to make without tasting simple and my whole family loved it! I would definitely make this again and use this as a guide in the future.
So glad that you liked this simple dish! ? Thank you, and happy weekend! <3
Made this and this is definetly not the last time ,loveeee it!! Great recipes Bianca ???
So glad that you liked it ? Thank you!
We tried this recipe tonight and everyone loved it! I don’t think I’ve ever had polenta before, but I really enjoyed it. It was tasty and filling- and the mushroom/spinach topping was SO GOOD! Thanks for another great recipe Bianca!
So happy to hear that you like polenta too! ? I mean, it’s so easy to make and SO delicious, right? Thank you for your comment! <3
This is one of if not my all time favourite vegan recipe right now! Itโs so good with multiple layers of flavours. Itโs amazing!!!
I love this polenta so much! So glad that you like it too ๐ Thank you!
Such a good recipe !!
So glad that you liked it. Thank you so much ?
Iโve only ever seen polenta in the cold vegan/vegetarian section at my grocery store. It comes in a tube of about 16 oz. i believe it is usually sliced and fried to make polenta cakes. Is this the same polenta you used in your recipe?
Hi Marissa,
honestly, I don’t know what you mean exactly. Polenta is coarse corn flour. It’s like fine corn grits.
Yes, I know the polenta tubes you are referring to. For this recipe however, you would want to try and find finely ground corn grits which usually comes in a bag in a dry goods aisle or can be found in bulk bins at some stores. Best of luck!
I always use finely ground corn grits for this recipe ๐
This is art…not food…I am in love with your receipes???
Awww thank you so much. So happy about that <3
Great recipe! Canโt wait to try out more of Biancaโs!
So glad that you liked this recipe! Have fun trying more <3
Lots of love,
Bianca ๐
Such a quick, easy and tasty meal. The polenta is real soulfood. Thank you for the recipe. Love it!
So glad that you liked it! ?
Lots of love,
Bianca <3
I made this recipe yesterday and we liked it. Might try a different type of milk (I donโt care so much for coconut).
But the creaminess of the polenta was great ? Next time I might also add some different spices to the polenta and more veggies. Definitely try it out.
So glad that you liked it! Thank you so much!:)
You can use any milk and veggies to your wish.
Lots of love,
Bianca <3
I made this recipe yesterday and I loved it! I’m not a vegan but I’m in love with this dish! The mushrooms were really tasty and the polenta really creamy! It’s a recipe that I will come back to! Thank you for sharing! **
So glad that you liked it! Thank you so much!:)
Lots of love,
Bianca <3
For someone with little cooking experience this recipe was super easy, convenient and sooo tasty!! Will definitely make it again ๐
Thanks Bianca.
So glad that you liked this recipe! ?
Thank you so much! โค๏ธ
Delicious and super easy to make. I always love your recipes!
So glad that you like my recipes! ?
Thank you <3
Much Love,
Bianca
I made this creamy polenta and it was a hit!!
So glad that you liked it! ?
Thank you โค๏ธ
Amazing recipe! I added grounded nutmeg & chilli flakes to the polenta and used sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds along the pine nuts. So yummy! Thanks for sharing
Hi Julia,
This sounds so good to me!?
So glad that you like the recipe.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
I made this for thanksgiving and my family really liked it! I forgot my nutritional yeast so I was a bit bummed about that but it still came out great. I also doubled the recipie and had to add some corn meal in the end to thicken it a bit.
Hi Sondra,
So glad that you liked this recipe and that it was still delicious ?
Thank you so much for your kind feedback.
Lots of love,
Bianca ?โค๏ธ
Very tasty! Love it! ?
So glad that you like them!?
Thank you for your lovely comment.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Hi Bianca,
Can we keep creamy polenta in the fridge ? If yes how can we heat it again ?
Thank you
Hi Lola,
You can heat up Polenta in the microwave but I recommend to serve Polenta immediately because it gets firm after cooling.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Amazing recipe! It was my first time with polenta and it was so easy and perfect for lunch! So creamy and tasty for such a cold day here in Galicia!
Thank you so much for your work, Iโll try more recipes soon!
Thank you so much, my dear Noelia!
So happy that you liked this recipe! ?
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Oh my god this dish is so tasty! Made the polenta last night and it was so creamy. Really liked the seasoning on the mushrooms too. Didn’t have any lime juice so added some capers and chilli flakes which worked well, and used cauliflower and kale as I was out of spinach – such an adaptable recipe that I’ll definitely be using it again!
Thank you, Zoe! Iโm absolutely in love with polenta. So glad that you liked this recipe too and that you created your own version. It’s such a versatile recipe ?
Lots of love, Bianca
This is a wonderful recipe. I am following an Ayurvedic diet and this was perfect for me and my family. Sooooooo good!!
Hi my dear, so happy to hear that you liked it! ? Thank you for your feedback โค๏ธ Lots of love, Bianca
How amazing ๐ Easy to make and perfect for diner ! Thank you can’t wait to try your others recipes !
Thank you! So glad that you liked it! ?โค๏ธ
I love love love this recipe! I’m a new vegan and I’ve been really pleased with the variety of new meals I’m eating that I wouldn’t have tried before. This is so yummy! Thank you for the recipe!
So happy that you like my recipes!?
Thank you so much.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Made this on a chilly Canadian fall night after work. (1) Was SO fast to make (2) Was SO warm and comforting (3) HELLO SO DELICIOUS. So easy with so much flavor I could cry. Had it for lunch the next day and the flavors had developed even more.
THANKS BIANCA LOVE YOU!
Thank you, dear Marie! So glad that you liked it! ?
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Thanks for this recipe! Made a double batch for company and everyone loved it. I was a little short to double the mushrooms and spinach so I roasted some brussels sprouts for some extra veg and it worked out perfect. I never would have thought to make polenta with coconut milk AND broth, totally amazing and creamy!
Hi Ashley,
So happy that you like this polenta recipe!
Thank you so much! ? Extra veggies are always a good choice! Especially when theyโre roasted! So yum ?
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
My favourite dish at the moment! So easy, quick and just amanzingly delicious <3 Already ate it twice this week. And I think many polenta dinners will follow… hihi!
Hi Boukje,
So glad that you like this recipe so much! I really love it, too! Make it so often but canโt get enough ?
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Hi Bianca! My 29 year old is Vegetarian, mostly vegan plant based and tagged me for this recipe. My mouth was watering! We made it for my 52nd birthday. My choice for dinner. It was super delicious. The polenta was a nice change. We thought to throw in some sun dried tomatoes and serve over a pasta or rice next time. Will make again for sure!
Hi Wendy,
This sounds super delicious! So glad that you liked the recipe. ?
Thank you so much for your comment!
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
As a new vegan, l am looking for new foods to try. I never had polenta before. I tried Biancaโs recipe. OMG it was so good. Also very simple and quick to do.
Merci Bianca!
So glad that you liked the recipe!?
Thank you for your feedback.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Actually it was the first time I had polenta and it was so yummy and creamy! I really enjoyed the flavour combination and the addition of roasted pine nuts is just… nuts ?another great recipe Bianca!
Hi Zaneta,
So glad that you liked the recipe ? Iโm so in love with this dish! Just perfect for cozy autumn days.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment.
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ
Your creamy polenta looks so yummy! To be honest I never ate polenta before and I am actually looking forward to making this recipe. ???
Hi Ela,
So glad that you like the idea!?
I hope youโll love Polenta as much as I do!
Have fun trying!
Lots of love,
Bianca โค๏ธ