• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes

Traditional Romanian Polenta (Mamaliga cu Branza in Paturi)

55 minutes
4.56 from 18 votes
16 Comments
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe
  • 94
by: Joanna Cismaru
02.22.22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

pin for traditional romanian polenta.

This Traditional Romanian Polenta with Feta Cheese, Bacon and Sausage known as “Mamaliga cu Branza in Paturi” is a dish I’ve grown up with and am very fond of. It’s hearty, delicious and satisfying.

Side shot of a Traditional Romanian Polenta with Feta Cheese, Bacon and Sausage known as "Mamaliga cu Branza in Paturi"

You can’t get anymore traditional than this when it comes to Romanian cuisine. I learned to make this from my mother who learned from my grandma and so on. Now I used bacon and some smoked sausage in this polenta, but you can keep it meatless and you’ve got yourself a vegetarian meal. In Romania this dish is sometimes known as peasant food and the polenta is often cooked in large copper pots or iron skillets.

What is Polenta?

Polenta is a traditional European dish, used for its versatility to combine various ingredients as a side dish or even a full on meal.

Polenta is usually made with water and cornmeal. It’s very simple to make a basic Polenta. In Romanian cuisine, “mamaliga” is enjoyed as a bread substitute most of the time, but as I mentioned above there are many ways in which it can be eaten.

Italians on the other hand make it a bit differently, instead of water they cook it with milk or cream and they add Parmesan to it. I’m using in this recipe a basic Polenta to have a nice, easy to make base for this traditional Romanian dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Cornmeal: I like to use the extra fine cornmeal to get a smooth texture in the polenta.
  • Meat: I use here a mix of bacon strips and smoked sausage to get that added rustic flavor to the whole dish.
  • Cheese: Feta cheese is definitely my favorite to use for both it’s consistency and the salty flavor it offers to the whole polenta dish.
Wide shot of traditional Romanian Polenta with Feta Cheese, Bacon and Sausage known as "Mamaliga cu Branza in Paturi"

How To Make Romanian Polenta

  1. Boil the water with salt. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to low and add the cornmeal, while stirring constantly. Keep stirring, you will notice the polenta will thicken.
  2. Cook the polenta for about 20 to 30 min, stirring occasionally. 
  3. Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  4. In a 9 x 13 in baking dish, spread half of the polenta using some of the remaining bacon fat. Sprinkle with half of the feta cheese. Add all the sausage and half of the bacon.
  5. Repeat with another layer using the remaining polenta. Add the remaining cheese and top off with the remaining bacon.
  6. Bake for about 10 min.
  7. Serve warm.

FAQ’s and Expert Tips

FAQ’s

Why is my polenta watery?

You may have just added too much liquid for the amount of grains you had. I wouldn’t recommend adding more grains after the fact. Your best bet would have been to put the grits/polenta on low heat until it thickened up.

Can I add a different type of cheese?

While your best bet is feta cheese, you can definitely experiment with other types of cheeses such as cream cheese and grated parmesan.

Can I make my polenta without the sausage and bacon?

Yes, you can definitely keep your polenta meatless.

Storage

Store leftover polenta in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days.

More Delicious Recipes To Try

  • Creamy Polenta with Grilled Steak and Roasted Tomatoes
  • Saucy Chicken and Sausage over Creamy Parmesan Polenta
  • Creamy Polenta
  • Braised Beef Short Ribs

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

a bowl of romanian polenta

Traditional Romanian Polenta with Feta Cheese and Bacon

4.56 from 18 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 55 mins
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 6
Print Pin Rate
This Traditional Romanian Polenta with Feta Cheese, Bacon and Sausage known as "Mamaliga cu Branza in Paturi" is a dish I've grown up with and am very fond of. It's hearty, delicious and satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 5 slices bacon fried and chopped
  • 8 ounce smoked sausage sliced and fried
  • 2 cups cornmeal
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups feta cheese shredded or crumbled
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Boil the water with salt. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to low and add the cornmeal, while stirring constantly. Keep stirring, you will notice the polenta will thicken.
  • Cook the polenta for about 20 to 30 min, stirring occasionally. 
  • Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  • In a 9 x 13 in baking dish, spread half of the polenta using some of the remaining bacon fat. Sprinkle with half of the feta cheese. Add all the sausage and half of the bacon.
  • Repeat with another layer using the remaining polenta. Add the remaining cheese and top off with the remaining bacon.
  • Bake for about 10 min.
  • Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1serCalories: 591kcal (30%)Carbohydrates: 42g (14%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fat: 36g (55%)Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)Cholesterol: 105mg (35%)Sodium: 1685mg (73%)Potassium: 324mg (9%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 315IU (6%)Calcium: 386mg (39%)Iron: 2.5mg (14%)
Course:Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine:Romanian
Keyword:mamaliga, mamaliga cu branza, polenta
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 94

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

a loaf of ciabatta bread in a wicker basket
Previous Post
Ciabatta bread
freshly baked bbq chicken pizza
Next Post
BBQ Chicken and Feta Pizza

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Monica says

    November 22, 2021 at 7:43 am

    5 stars
    Jo, you must be “ardeleanca”! This is the recipe that is typical for that region. My mom is born and raised in Tirgu Mures, I grew up there. And this is my husband’s “birthday cake”! Oh, and he is american… What is that saying? Dragostea trece prin stomac (love goes through the stomach – how romantic!) ?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      November 22, 2021 at 11:06 am

      My mom always uses that saying. Yep, I was born in Cluj and my dad is from there. My mom’s been making this for as long as I can remember. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Michael Fortune says

    June 28, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    how come it show the sausage on top but the instruction has the cheese and bacon on top?

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team AMJ says

      June 29, 2021 at 9:09 am

      Hi Michael,

      You can add the sausage and bacon either as a topping or in between the layers. Depends on the preference. Let us know how it turns out for you!

      Reply
    • Monica says

      November 22, 2021 at 7:54 am

      5 stars
      If you add an egg (sunny side up ? Ou ochi) and the bacon and cheese it is often called “bulz” and it was a typical meal of shepherds. Try and enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Brenda says

    February 5, 2018 at 10:54 am

    5 stars
    Best polenta recipe!

    Reply
  4. Lakshmi Balakrishnan says

    December 9, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this, it was really good!

    Reply
  5. Mihaela Lahav says

    November 20, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    5 stars
    What kind of sausage did you use? In Romania they are using for this recipe homemade sausages but here, in Toronto, I cannot find any or at least similar to those.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      November 20, 2017 at 4:43 pm

      I used a smoked dry sausage, my mom buys it from a Polish store, but any smoked sausage would work.

      Reply
  6. Lilly says

    November 24, 2015 at 3:16 am

    5 stars
    Salut! Nu am stiut ca este romanca!! Cand am fost o fata mica tati imi va face acest lucru și îl numesc “mamaliga Patru stele”. Eu vorbesc mai bine decate romana scruI ca am fost noscut in america, imi pare ran daca est greu DE citit. Now I am going to go follow you on pinterest!

    Reply
    • jo says

      November 24, 2015 at 5:41 am

      Multumesc! Nu am auzit niciodata ca ii spunde mamalinga patru stele. Sper sa incerci sa o faci, foarte buna. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Roxy says

    August 30, 2013 at 4:37 am

    Vaaaai, ce pofta mi-e. Eu mai adaug la reteta asta si putina smantana si un strat de ciupercute sotate. Si daca vreau sa fie si mai si, deasupra fac 2 gropite si sparg doua oua. Yummmmm

    Reply
    • jo says

      August 30, 2013 at 6:40 am

      Lol, si eu mai adaug din cand in cand smantana, dar niciodata nu m-am gandit la ciupercute. 🙂 Must try!

      Reply
      • Doina says

        December 16, 2017 at 5:50 am

        5 stars
        Eu fac asta dar eu fierb ouale moi si mai fac un mujdei de usturoi oh ce minune…copii mei sint nascuti in US dar asta e o mincare pe care nu o refuza,
        well… ie nu refuza mamaliga niciodata…

      • Joanna Cismaru says

        December 16, 2017 at 8:35 pm

        Nici eu, foarte buna! 🙂

    • Monica says

      November 22, 2021 at 7:50 am

      In Areal “nu se poate” (citez pe mama) supa/ciorba de salata fara mamaliga-n straturi. Am gresit sa fac numa’ supa…si asa mi-a zis “draga mea, asta sa nu mai faci niciodata, ca nu sepoate!”.
      Mincaruri bune, amintiri frumoase si sarbatori in liniste in tot anul!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
chow mein in a white asian bowl.

Asian

creamy chicken marsala pasta in a white platter.

Italian

chicken fajita taquitos with sour cream and salsa on a white platter.

Mexican

chicken and mushroom in creamy dill sauce over a bed of rice in a blue bowl.

Romanian

freshly made lamb korma in a beige braiser.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!