Name: Polenta with Sausage, Peppers, and Olives
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 cups water; 1 cup instant polenta; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; Salt and pepper; 1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian sausage; 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced thin; 1 small onion, halved and sliced thin; 1 (14.5-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved

Why This Recipe Works

For a spicy kick, use hot Italian sausage.

Before You Begin

For a spicy kick, use hot Italian sausage.

Instructions

Bring water to boil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in polenta, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until thickened, about 3 minutes. Off heat, stir in butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover to keep warm.

Cook sausage in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add bell pepper and onion, and cook until vegetables are softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and pepper flakes. Cook until sauce has thickened slightly, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in olives.

Divide polenta among 4 bowls and top with sausage and sauce. Serve.