Skip to main content
Main Dishes • Italian

Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce Recipe

This caramelized onion polenta with blue cheese sauce is the perfect comfort food. The caramelized onions and blue cheese sauce add a sweet yet tangy touch.

4.8 from 202 votes
90 mins
Total Time
6
servings
Jump to Recipe
Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce

How to Make the Best Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce

Rich, Creamy Comfort in Every Bite

This caramelized onion polenta with blue cheese sauce is the kind of dish that transforms a simple weeknight dinner into something restaurant-worthy. Creamy polenta serves as the perfect canvas for sweet, deeply caramelized onions and a luxurious blue cheese sauce that brings subtle tanginess and depth. It’s a beautiful balance of flavors—smooth cornmeal, sweet onions, pungent blue cheese, and hints of garlic and mustard all come together in elegant harmony.

The Power of Patience and Good Ingredients

The secret to this dish lies in taking your time with the caramelized onions. While it might seem like a long process, the 60-70 minutes of gentle cooking transforms ordinary onions into sweet, golden jewels that become the soul of the polenta. Using freshly grated Parmesan and quality blue cheese makes all the difference in the final flavor. This is comfort food elevated—perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to something special.

Make It Your Own

Whether you serve the polenta immediately while it’s creamy or prepare it ahead by baking it until golden, this dish adapts to your preferences. The blue cheese sauce can be made while the polenta finishes, creating a seamless dinner experience. Pair this with a simple salad or roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that celebrates Italian flavors with creative flair.

Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce

Caramelized Onion Polenta With Blue Cheese Sauce

This caramelized onion polenta with blue cheese sauce is the perfect comfort food. The caramelized onions and blue cheese sauce add a sweet yet tangy touch.

4.8 from 202 votes
CourseMain Dishes
CuisineItalian
Keywordblue cheese polenta, caramelized onion polenta
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time80 mins
Total Time90 mins
Servings6 servings
Calories450kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Caramelized Onions

Polenta

Blue Cheese Sauce

Instructions

Caramelized Onions

  1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in onions and salt. Let cook undisturbed for about 10 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle with sugar and stir. Allow to continue cooking until browned and softened, stirring occasionally every 8 to 10 minutes. This should take about 60-70 minutes total.

Polenta

  1. In a saucepan, bring stock to a boil over medium-high heat. Constantly stirring with a wooden spoon, slowly pour in cornmeal.
  2. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, vigorously stirring about every 10 minutes. The polenta is done when the grains soften to your liking.
  3. Turn off heat and stir in Parmesan and butter until they melt. Add heavy cream, salt and pepper. Stir in caramelized onions.
  4. You can serve polenta immediately or pour into a buttered dish for baking. If baking, let the polenta set until it firms in texture, or put it in the oven after about 10 minutes to keep the creamy consistency but develop a crust. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.

Blue Cheese Sauce

  1. Melt butter in a skillet. Sprinkle flour over butter and constantly whisk for three minutes.
  2. Pour in heavy cream, garlic and Dijon mustard while whisking to prevent lumps. Once warm, stir in blue cheese until it's somewhat melted but with some crumbles intact.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Prepare this about 10 minutes before the polenta is ready.
  4. Spoon blue cheese sauce over polenta and enjoy!

Notes

  • The caramelizing of the onions takes the longest—roughly 60-70 minutes total. Be patient with this step for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • You can prepare the polenta ahead by pouring it into a buttered dish and refrigerating overnight. Remove about 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking to prevent cracking.
Jump to Recipe