Love grits? This Cheese Grits Casserole is for you! This savory breakfast recipe is perfect for brunch, and it's sure to please the whole family. Make this once, and you will be hooked!
In the south, cheese grits are a breakfast staple.
While they are most often a brunch star, southern grits casserole can also be enjoyed as a starchy side or even a vegetarian main course.
This baked grits casserole is super easy to make and something my friends and family always enjoy.
Whether you're looking for something new to add to your menu or just want a comforting dish to cozy up with, this casserole is sure to please.
So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy the cheesy goodness of this breakfast grits casserole!
Ingredients
- Water or Broth: Using homemade vegetable broth adds a lot of flavor to grits casserole, but water also works. Chicken broth can be used if you aren’t making a vegetarian grits casserole.
- Salt: I used sea salt, but you can use kosher salt or table salt if you like.
- Old-fashioned Grits: Do not use instant grits for this recipe. Look for a package labeled old-fashioned grits or stone-ground grits.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This adds a bit of tang and depth of flavor.
- Tabasco Sauce: You can add more or less, depending on how spicy you like your food.
- Garlic Powder: You can also use fresh minced garlic.
- Black Pepper: Make sure to freshly grind your black pepper for the best flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar cheese for the most flavor. Feel free to use another cheese - gouda and swiss are great options.
- Eggs: The eggs help bind everything together.
Tips & Tricks
- Don't be tempted to use instant grits - the texture will not be the same.
- Cooking grits properly requires a little bit of effort. You want to stir them well as they begin to absorb the water. After the temperature is lowered, it is essential to whisk from time to time to avoid clumping.
- Don't skip the salt! Few things are blander than unsalted grits.
- For a more decadent dish, add a few tablespoons of butter before adding the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This baked grits casserole is perfect for your weekend brunch. Here are a few recipes to round out your menu!
- Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
- Quinoa Muffins
- Beef Breakfast Sausage
- Ninja Foodi Grill Bacon
- Zucchini Pancakes
- Pumpkin Breakfast Casserole
This casserole is perfect for brunch, but it would also make a great side dish for dinner.
Try serving it with grilled chicken or fish, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. And, of course, don't forget the hot sauce!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this casserole be made ahead?
Yes, grits and cheese casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to eat.
It does get thicker as it sits, so if you want it to be thinner, you can add an extra cup of water.
What can I do with leftovers?
Leftover grits casserole can be reheated and enjoyed for breakfast the next day.
You can also add some chopped cooked bacon or sausage to the leftovers for a heartier meal.
Can grits be made ahead of time?
Yes, grits can be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready to eat. They do get thicker as they sit, so if you want them to be thinner you can add an extra cup of water.
Tools Needed to Make
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- 8x8 Baking Dish
- Saucepan
Storage
Store this leftover cheese grits casserole recipe in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, place in a room temperature casserole dish.
Cook in a 350-degree oven and heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water if the grits have dried out.
You can also reheat this grits casserole recipe in the microwave. I recommend loosely covering it because the grits can spatter.
How to Make Grits Casserole
First, start by preheating your oven and greasing your casserole dish. Then, bring the water or broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan.
Once boiling, add the grits slowly while stirring constantly. Once all of the grits have been added, stir in the Worcestershire, Tabasco, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook for 25 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent lumps.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of cheese until melted. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before whisking in the eggs.
Transfer the mixture to your prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.
Garnish your baked cheese grits casserole with parsley or green onions.
Creamy Baked Cheese Grits Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ¼ cups old-fashioned grits not instant
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon tabasco sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 2 large eggs beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 8 x 8 casserole dish.
- Bring the water or broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan.
- Add the grits slowly, stirring constantly as you go. Once the grits are all added, add the Worcestershire, Tabasco, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low, and cover. Cook for 25 minutes, whisking occasionally to prevent lumps.
- Remove from the heat and add 1 cup of the cheese. Stir until it is melted and allow to cool slightly. Whisk in the eggs.
- Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 35 minutes, until browned.
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