• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wendy Polisi
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
    • Terms of Service and Conditions
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Breakfast Recipes

    Cheese Grits Casserole

    5 from 14 votes
    Posted October 5, 2022 by Wendy Polisi

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    Overhead photo of a white casserole dish with a cheese grits casserole in it.

    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 

    Overhead photo of prep bowls with grits, cheese, eggs, seasonings, Worcestershire, and tabasco.
    • 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 

    As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying sales.

    • 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.

    Grits cooking in water.
    Shredded cheese on top of grits in a 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.

    Egg being added to grits and cheese.
    Cheese grits casserole ready for the oven.

    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.

    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Instagram, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Square overhead photo of a white casserole dish with a cheese grits casserole in it.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 14 votes

    Cheese Grits Casserole

    Who doesn't love cheese grits? This cheesy casserole is the perfect comfort food for breakfast, brunch, and even dinner. It's easy to make, and everyone will love it!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Breakfast, brunch, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Keyword: brunch
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 194kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 467mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 1mg

    Filed Under:

    Breakfast RecipesChristmas RecipesEaster RecipesGluten Free RecipesHoliday RecipesThanksgiving Recipes

    More Breakfast Recipes

    • Square photo of two ramekins with a quinoa egg bake in them.
      Quinoa Egg Bake
    • Square photo of a protein power bar on a white background with a stack of power bars behind it.
      Protein Power Bars - Real Food Protein Bars
    • Square photo of a bowl of quinoa bites with two quinoa bites sitting on a dark background next to the bowl.
      Quinoa Bites
    • Overhead square photo of cranberry orange bread on a white platter.
      Cranberry Orange Bread with Glaze

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Favorites

    • Close up photo of a spoonful of Spanish Cauliflower Rice resting in a bowl of keto rice.
      25-Minute Spanish Cauliflower Rice
    • Close up photo of a bread machine dinner roll on a cooling rack with other rolls behind it.
      Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
    • Square side photo of gluten free vegetarian lasagna.
      Gluten Free Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Square overhead photo of an aqua bowl with tahini pastas garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.
      Tahini Pasta
    • Square close up photo of a crispy quinoa salad with pomegranate and sweet potato.
      Crispy Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Sweet Potato
    • Square close up photo of a thai chicken salad on a white plate.
      Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

    Family, Food and Fun!

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms of Service
    • About
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.