Creamy Baked Cheese Grits Casserole

Cheese grits are a Southern breakfast institution, and this casserole is how I make them for a crowd. Old-fashioned grits, sharp cheddar, a couple of eggs to set it, and a cheesy top from the oven.

It serves the way a casserole should.  While it is most often served for breakfast or brunch, southern grits casserole can also be enjoyed as a side or even a vegetarian main course.

Make it once, and it'll be on your Thanksgiving and brunch tables for good.

Ingredient Notes (What I Learned Testing This Recipe)

The part that makes or breaks baked grits and cheese comes down to one choice. The grits you buy matter more than anything else you do.

Reach for old-fashioned or stone-ground grits. Never instant. Instant turns to paste, and the casserole won't set. Stone-ground takes a little longer and tastes far better, so I think they're worth the wait.

Don't skip the eggs. They're the reason this recipe for cheesy grits casserole serves like a casserole instead of loose grits. Make sure you let the grits cool for a few minutes before you whisk the eggs in.  Otherwise, you risk scrambling the eggs.

And the garlic powder is subtle, but it's what keeps all that cheese from tasting flat, so don’t skip it

Serving Suggestions

Serve it for brunch with Blackstone eggs or sous vide egg bites and beef breakfast sausage. Brighten up the table with my bread machine blueberry bread or add some indulgence with brioche french toast casserole.

And for more cheesy goodness on your brunch table, try my cheesy hash brown casserole.

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• 8x8 Baking Dish
• Saucepan

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.

Make Ahead (Perfect for Holidays!)

This is a make-ahead dream, which is the whole reason it works on a holiday morning. Build it the day before, cover, and refrigerate. It firms up overnight.  

If you are concerned about it getting too thick, you can leave the cheese on top off.  Stir in an extra splash of water and then top with the cheese and bake.