AI generated image of a recipe card.

Beef and Polenta

Healthy Fact of the Day

Polenta (cornmeal) is naturally gluten-free and provides complex carbohydrates and fiber. Slow-braising beef chuck breaks down tough connective tissue into gelatin while allowing excess fat to render away.
Beef and Polenta

Beef and Polenta

Recipe by Daily Disher

Beef and Polenta features slow-braised beef chuck in red wine and tomato sauce with herbs, served over creamy Parmesan polenta enriched with butter.

Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Medium
4.2 from 5 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 
Calories

450

kcal

2

hours 

20

minutes

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes

    • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

    • 1 onion, chopped

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1 cup red wine

    • 2 cups beef broth

    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

    • 1 cup polenta

    • 4 cups water

    • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

    • 2 tablespoons butter

    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Directions

    • In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with flour until evenly coated, shaking off any excess flour.
    • Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring all sides are seared.
    • Once all beef is browned, remove it and set aside. In the same pot, add chopped onion and minced garlic.
    • Stir in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
    • Add beef broth, tomato paste, dried thyme, and black pepper. Return the beef to the pot and bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until beef is tender.
    • While the beef is cooking, bring water and salt to a boil in a separate saucepan over medium heat.
    • Gradually whisk in polenta, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Lower heat and cook until thickened.
    • Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and butter until the polenta is creamy and well combined.
    • To serve, spoon generous portions of the creamy polenta onto plates and top with the beef stew.

    Nutrition Facts

    • Total number of serves: 4
    • Calories: 120kcal
    • Cholesterol: 0mg
    • Sodium: 620mg
    • Potassium: 400mg
    • Sugar: 8g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Calcium: 60mg
    • Iron: 2mg

    This Beef and Polenta is rustic Italian comfort food that brings together melt-in-your-mouth braised beef with silky, creamy polenta for a dish that’s both hearty and sophisticated. Beef cubes are seared until deeply browned, then slowly simmered in red wine, beef broth, and tomato paste with aromatic herbs until they’re fork-tender and bathed in a rich, flavorful sauce. The creamy polenta gets enriched with Parmesan cheese and butter, creating the perfect velvety base that soaks up all those incredible beef juices—making this a soul-satisfying meal that’s perfect for cold evenings or when you want to impress dinner guests.

    4.2 from 5 votes

    Recent Recipes

    The Frozen Foods Your Air Fryer Was

    • April 18, 2026
    • 3 min read

    Herb and Cheese Scones

    • April 18, 2026
    • 11 min read

    The Resting Rules Every Home Baker Breaks

    • April 18, 2026
    • 7 min read

    Easy Pineapple Pork Chops

    • April 18, 2026
    • 10 min read

    The Costco Dip That People Panicked Over

    • April 17, 2026
    • 4 min read

    How Chefs Use Salt Differently Than Everyone

    • April 17, 2026
    • 7 min read

    Shrimp Creole

    • April 17, 2026
    • 10 min read

    Today Is the Day: Krispy Kreme’s Strawberry

    • April 16, 2026
    • 3 min read

    Cherry Blossom Spritz

    • April 16, 2026
    • 10 min read

    The Knife Habits That Separate Home Cooks

    • April 16, 2026
    • 7 min read

    Tip of the Day

    “Always let your meat rest before slicing.”

    Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steak, or baking pork tenderloin, letting cooked meat rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing allows the juices to redistribute evenly. This simple step keeps your meat juicy and tender, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist. Bonus: It gives you a moment to plate your sides or garnish for a perfect presentation!

    Our Latest Recipes

    Blog
    Daily Disher

    The Frozen Foods Your Air Fryer Was Born to Cook

    The air fryer isn’t just a crispiness hack — it’s also a meaningful way to cut down on added fat. Most of these frozen foods come pre-oiled, which means they don’t need anything extra to get great results. Compare that to deep frying, which can add hundreds of calories per serving in absorbed oil alone. If you’re buying frozen, look for options with shorter ingredient lists and less sodium — the air fryer will do the rest without needing the extra stuff to compensate.

    Read More »
    Other
    Benjamin Brown

    Herb and Cheese Scones

    Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and chives are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, plus antioxidants that support immune health—making these indulgent scones surprisingly nutrient-rich.

    Read More »
    Blog
    Daily Disher

    The Resting Rules Every Home Baker Breaks

    Allowing bread to cool completely before slicing isn’t just a texture decision — it also affects how the body processes it. Fully cooled bread has a higher proportion of resistant starch than bread eaten warm, which slows digestion, lowers the glycemic response, and feeds beneficial gut bacteria. The same loaf, eaten at different temperatures, has a meaningfully different effect on blood sugar.

    Read More »

    Get your daily dose of delicious!

    Skip to content