Ole Polenta Casserole

 

Prep : 1 hour+ chilling ...Bake: 40 minutes +standing  ... Makes 6 servings

 

1 ..........cup yellow cornmeal

1 ..........teaspoon salt

4 ..........cups water  , divided

1 ..........pound ground beef

1 ..........cup chopped onion

1/2 .......cup chopped green pepper

2 ..........garlic cloves  , minced

1 ..........can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes , undrained

1 ..........can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/2 .......pound  sliced fresh mushrooms

1 ..........teaspoon  each dried basil , oregano and dill weed

Dash hot pepper sauce

1-1/2 .....cups (6 ounces) shredded  part-skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 .........cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

* FOR POLENTA* :   1 )   small bowl , whisk cornmeal  , salt and 1 cup water until smooth . In a large  saucepan , bring remaining water to a boil . Add cornmeal mixture  , stirring constantly  . Bring to a boil ; cook and stir for 3 minutes more  or until thickened .

2 ) Reduce heat  to low ; cover  and cook for 15 minutes  . Divide  the mixture  between  2 greased  8-inch square  baking dishes . Cover and refrigrate  until firm , about 1 hour .

3 )    In a large skillet  , cook beef  , onion , green pepper  and garlic  over medium heat  until meat is no longer pink  ; drain . Stir  in the tomatoes  , tomato sauce  , mushrooms  , herbs and hot pepper sauce ; bring to a boil  . Reduce heat  ; simmer  uncoverd for 20 minutes or until thickened .

3 )       Loosen 1 polenta  from sides  and bottom od dish  ; invert  onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet  and set aside . Spoon half  of the meat mixture  over the remaining  polenta  that is still in the dish . Sprinkle with half  the mozzarella  and half the Parmesan  cheese . Top with remaing meat mixture .

4 )       Cover and bake  at 350* for 40 minutes  or until  heated through . Uncover  ; sprinkle  with remaining  cheese . Bake 5 minutes  longer  or until cheese  is melted . Let stand 10 minutes before cutting .

 

This casserole is a family favorite  . Servings are great dolloped  with sour cream .

Heart Healthy