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Polenta Stack With Navy Bean Salad

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 28 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

This Mediterranean-inspired polenta stack with navy bean salad is a vibrant vegetarian dish that celebrates fresh, simple ingredients. By combining hearty beans with juicy plum tomatoes and fragrant basil, you create a robust base for the creamy polenta and tender courgettes. Grilling the ingredients inside foil parcels allows the flavours to meld beautifully while steaming the vegetables to perfection, resulting in a dish that is both light and satisfying.

Perfect for a fuss-free midweek dinner or a healthy weekend lunch, these individual parcels are as fun to serve as they are to eat. The salty tang of crumbled feta perfectly balances the sweetness of the roasted red peppers, offering a well-rounded flavour profile. It is a nutritious, protein-rich option that provides a lovely alternative to traditional pasta or rice dishes.

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Ingredients for Polenta Stack With Navy Bean Salad

  • Vegetable oil cooking spray

  • 2 cans (450g each) navy beans, rinsed and drained

  • 450g plum tomatoes, chopped

  • 1/2 cup basil, chopped, plus 15 leaves for garnish

  • 275g crumbled feta, divided

  • 1 tube (500g) prepared polenta, cut into 16 slices

  • 450g courgette, cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • 2 bottles (200g each) roasted red peppers, drained

How to make Polenta Stack With Navy Bean Salad

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Heat grill. Fold four 18-inch-long pieces of foil in half; unfold and coat inside with cooking spray. Combine beans, tomatoes, chopped basil and 140g feta in a bowl. Place 1/4 of bean mixture in centre of 1 half of each piece of foil. Working 1 packet at a time, place 4 slices polenta in an overlapping circle over beans. Top with 1/4 of courgette slices, 1/4 of red peppers and 1/4 of remaining 140g feta. Fold foil to close and crimp edges to seal packets; place on grill; close lid; cook until packets are fully puffed, 10 minutes. Carefully cut foil to open and garnish with basil leaves. Serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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