Polenta con Fagioli

If using optional sausage and mushrooms, break up sausage in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add mushrooms, cook for 2 more minutes, then add spaghetti sauce and bring to a simmer.

If not using optional ingredients, just heat spaghetti sauce in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.

In a bowl, mix corn meal and 1 cup of water. This will prevent lumps from forming when added to boiling water in the next step.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil and slowly add the corn meal mixture. Lower the heat and stir for about 5 minutes until thickened.

Drain and rinse the beans. Add to and mix with the polenta.

Spoon polenta onto a serving platter or individual plates. Top with sauce and cheese. It seems to taste better if the polenta is topped with the sauce and not mixed together.