Two white bowls with creamy grits topped with sausage, green bell peppers, onions, tomato sauce, and shredded cheese on a red-striped cloth.

Air Fryer Recipes > Dinner Recipes

Sausage Meatballs with Creamy Polenta

Name: Sausage Meatballs with Creamy Polenta
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 8 oz(227 g) ground Italian sausageAmount8 ozIngredient(227 g) ground Italian sausage; 1medium onionAmount1Ingredientmedium onion, sliced, sliced; 1medium green pepperAmount1/4 tspIngredientpepper, sliced; 3 tbsp(33 g) tomato pasteAmount3 tbspIngredient(33 g) tomato paste; 1/2 cup(118 ml) vermouthAmount1/2 cupIngredient(118 ml) vermouth or white wine or white wine; 1/2 cup(118 ml) chicken brothAmount1 cupIngredient(236 ml) chicken broth; 1 tspItalian seasoningAmount1 tspIngredientItalian seasoning; 1/2 tspgarlic powderAmount1/2 tspIngredientgarlic powder; 1/2 tspsaltAmount1/2 tspIngredientsalt; 1/4 tsppepperAmount1/4 tspIngredientpepper; 1 cup(236 ml) chicken brothAmount1 cupIngredient(236 ml) chicken broth; 1 cup(236 ml) milkAmount1 cupIngredient(236 ml) milk; 1/2 cup(118 ml) yellow cornmealAmount1/2 cupIngredient(118 ml) yellow cornmeal; 2 tbsp(12 g) shredded Parmesan cheeseAmount2 tbspIngredient(12 g) shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving, plus more for serving

I don’t often eat polenta but every time I have it, I wonder why I don’t make it more often. It comes together easily, it’s affordable, and can be very delicious. In this recipe, Italian sausage meatballs with roasted peppers and onions are mixed with a rich, wine-infused tomato sauce. Served over polenta, this meal brings a unique contrast of both flavor and texture.

SERVINGS 2
COOK 30 mins
AUTHOR Dallyn Maresco

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Category Air Fryer Recipes

Ingredients

8 oz(227 g) ground Italian sausage
1medium onion, sliced
1medium green pepper, sliced
3 tbsp(33 g) tomato paste
1/2 cup(118 ml) vermouth or white wine
1/2 cup(118 ml) chicken broth
1 tspItalian seasoning
1/2 tspgarlic powder
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tsppepper

Polenta

1 cup(236 ml) chicken broth
1 cup(236 ml) milk
1/2 cup(118 ml) yellow cornmeal
2 tbsp(12 g) shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

More to Know

This is a cozy, small-batch dinner that leans on a smart contrast: savory sausage meatballs, sweet peppers and onions, a glossy tomato-wine sauce, and creamy polenta underneath. If you like meals that feel hearty without being fussy, this one is very much in that lane.

Why the polenta works here

Polenta gives the dish a soft, creamy base that soaks up the sauce without turning soggy. The cornmeal also balances the richness of the sausage and Parmesan, so each bite feels round and satisfying instead of heavy. If you have not made polenta often, this is a good place to start because it cooks quickly and does not ask for much beyond stirring.

What to expect from the sauce

The sauce is built from tomato paste, vermouth or white wine, and chicken broth, so it tastes concentrated and a little bright rather than flat. Tomato paste gives it body, while the wine brings some depth and the broth keeps it from becoming too thick too fast. After the meatballs and vegetables go back into the pan, the sauce should look glossy and lightly reduced, not watery.

Tips for getting the meatballs and vegetables right

Make the sausage meatballs as even as you can so they cook at the same pace.
Slice the onion and pepper into similar-sized pieces so they soften evenly in the air fryer.
Stir halfway through cooking to help everything brown more evenly and keep the vegetables from overcooking on one side.
Look for sausage that is cooked through and browned at the edges before adding it to the sauce.

How to keep the polenta smooth

When the broth and milk come to a boil, add the cornmeal gradually while stirring. That steady stirring is what keeps the mixture from turning lumpy. Once it thickens, keep it moving until it no longer looks wet and has a creamy, spoonable texture. The Parmesan goes in at the end, so it melts into the polenta instead of clumping.

Easy swaps that make sense

If you do not have vermouth, dry white wine is the most natural swap.
If you prefer to skip alcohol, use more broth for a milder sauce.
Any good-quality Italian sausage should work, though the flavor will shift depending on whether you use sweet or spicy sausage.
For a slightly different finish, add extra Parmesan at the table rather than mixing in a lot more to the pot.

Serving ideas

This is already a complete dinner for two, but it also works well with something crisp and simple on the side. A green salad, steamed broccoli, or roasted green beans would all fit without stealing focus from the main dish. If you want to stretch the meal a little further, serve it with crusty bread for scooping up the sauce.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not let the polenta sit too long before serving, or it can firm up quickly.
Do not rush the sauce reduction; it should have time to thicken slightly so it coats the meatballs.
Do not add the cornmeal all at once, or it is more likely to clump.
Do not overcook the vegetables until they lose all texture; a little bite keeps the final dish more interesting.

Make-ahead and storage notes

The meatball mixture and sauce can be cooked ahead and reheated when you are ready to serve, but the polenta is best made fresh for the creamiest texture. If you do have leftovers, store the sauce and polenta separately when possible. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the polenta and bring back its creamy texture.

If you like compact dinners that still feel special, this is a strong one to save. It is practical, low-drama, and built around ingredients that work hard together. For more small-batch dinners like this, keep browsing BestRecipes and save the recipes you want to make next.

If you like this kind of hearty comfort meal, you may also enjoy spaghetti and meatballs for another satisfying sauce-and-pasta-style dinner.

If you like the sweet-savory combination in this dish, you may also enjoy roasted poblano peppers and onions in another air fryer pork recipe.

If you want another air fryer dinner built around peppers and onions, try Roasted Vegetable and Cheddar Quiche.

If you want something cozy on the side, a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup would fit the same comfort-food mood.

If you like meatball-based dinners, you may also enjoy meatball and orzo soup for another comforting, savory meal.

If you like the sweet-savory combination in this dish, you may also enjoy sausage, pepper, and onion hoagies for another air fryer meal built around peppers, onions, and sausage.

If you like hearty sausage dinners, you may also enjoy Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Soup for another comforting, savory meal.

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About the Author

Dallyn Maresco

Dallyn Maresco joined bestrecipes.co as a recipe editor for the magazine in 2014. Though her culinary passions began with baking, she has since fallen in love with all forms of cooking. As a cookbook author, Dallyn has meticulously reviewed every recipe on the site since her arrival. In addition to her editorial duties, she also handles the camera for our recipe videos. When she's not in the kitchen, you'll find her in a cozy corner with a book—she once read over 80 in a single year!

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Sausage Meatballs with Creamy Polenta