Best Cheese Grits Recipes

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Place the milk, water, and salt into a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once the milk mixture comes to a boil, gradually add the cornmeal while continually whisking. Once all of the cornmeal has been incorporated, decrease the heat to low and cover. Remove lid and whisk frequently, every 3 to 4 minutes, to prevent grits from sticking or forming lumps; make sure to get into corners of pot when whisking. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is creamy.
• Remove from the heat, add the pepper and butter, and whisk to combine. Once the butter is melted, gradually whisk in the cheese a little at a time. Serve immediately.

CREAMY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil in a pan and add the jalapenos, onions and bell peppers. Cook until softened, 5 minutes or so.
• Pour in the grits, followed by the broth and 3 cups water. Stir, and then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, and then cover and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the half-and-half. Stir, and then cook until the grits are tender, another 20 to 30 minutes. At any time, add more broth if the grits look like they need more cooking liquid.
• Remove the grits from the heat and stir in the cheese. Serve immediately.

CHEESE GRITS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a heavy pot, cook the bacon over medium heat to render the fat, about 2 minutes. Add the onions and cook with the bacon until the onions are golden brown and the bacon is chewy, about 5 minutes. Carefully add the chicken broth and 2 cups water. Whisk in the grits. Bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 25 minutes. Stir in the cream and cheese until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper.

PAULA DEEN'S BAKED GARLIC CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 4-quart casserole dish.
• Bring the broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan.
• Stir in the grits and whisk until completely combined.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the cubed Cheddar and milk and stir. Gradually stir in the eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
• Sprinkle with the white Cheddar and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until set.

SAUSAGE CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until the sausage is crumbly and lightly browned. Drain off the grease and place the sausage in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the grits, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook and stir constantly for 5 minutes until the grits are tender, or follow package directions.
• Stir together the sausage, cheese, butter, hot pepper sauce, and eggs. Fold in the grits until combined, then spread into an ungreased, small casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, 30 to 40 minutes.

CHEESE 'N' GRITS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Slowly stir in grits and salt. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until thickened, 5-7 minutes. Cool slightly. Gradually whisk in milk, butter and eggs. Stir in cheese, Worcestershire sauce and cayenne. , Transfer to a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 30-35 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

ROASTED GARLIC JALAPENO CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly butter a 2-quart oven-safe dish.
• Cut the top off of the garlic head to expose the garlic. Put the head on a piece of aluminum and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and close. Place the garlic into the oven and roast until soft, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and open to cool slightly before using.
• Bring the chicken stock, 1 1/2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the grits and stir well with a whisk. Cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Add the eggs while whisking quickly, and fold in 3 tablespoons of the roasted garlic, the cheeses, jalapenos, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and white pepper. Once the grits are thoroughly combined and smooth, transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
• Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes, then remove foil and cook 10 minutes longer to brown the top.

CHEESE GRITS & SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain., In a large saucepan, bring the water, broth and salt to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, milk, garlic powder and sage, stirring until cheese is melted. Stir in sausage and eggs. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with paprika if desired., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

BAKED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a deep casserole dish.
• Bring the chicken broth, milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cayenne to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits and lower the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the Cheddar and pepper-jack cheeses and butter until melted and smooth; cool slightly. Stir in the eggs and transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Smooth the top of the grits and then bake until just set and lightly brown, about 1 hour. Let rest for at least 5 minutes. Scatter with the scallions, if using, and cut into squares.

SOUTHERN CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Bring water and salt to a boil in a pot over high heat. Add grits, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Pour grits into a large mixing bowl. Add beaten egg slowly, followed by 1 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, butter, pepper, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Mix thoroughly and pour into the prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese on top and sprinkle lightly with paprika for coloring. Cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven until thickened and cheese is melted, about 1 hour, uncovering the last 10 minutes to let a crust form on top.

MOTHER'S DAY MAKE-AHEAD SAUSAGE AND CHEESE GRITS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine 2 cups water and the milk and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in the grits and return to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Decrease the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until creamy and thick, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally to break up the sausage, until no longer pink and the meat is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and cool slightly.
• Remove the grits from the heat and add the cheese and butter. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add the reserved sausage, cayenne, eggs, green onions and jalapenos and stir until well incorporated.
• Butter a large (9-by-13-inch) casserole dish. Spoon the mixture into the prepared dish. At this point, the casserole can be covered and refrigerated overnight (bring to room temperature before baking), or baked immediately.
• Bake at 350 degrees F from room temperature until bubbly and golden brown, about 1 hour. Remove to a rack to cool slightly before serving.

CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Cook the grits according to the package instructions, adding the salt with the water. Turn off the heat just before the grits are done.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs. To temper the eggs before adding them to the hot grits, throw a couple of spoonfuls of the hot grits into the eggs. Begin stirring immediately and continue stirring until the mixture is well combined.
• Pour the egg mixture into the grits. Stir constantly to incorporate the eggs into the grits. Add the butter and stir until melted. Next, add the cheese and stir until melted. Add the cayenne and garlic and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt or cayenne if necessary. You could also add more cheese if you think that will bring happiness to your life, but keep in mind that some cheeses increase the salt content more than others.
• Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and pour the grits into the dish. Bake until the grits are hot and bubbly, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. The grits will become firmer as they cool.

BOBBY FLAY'S JALAPENO CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the grits according to the directions on the back of the package (usually between 5-10 minutes), whisking the whole time to avoid lumps.
• Remove from the heat and add next 6 ingredients (cheddar through chilies).
• Stir well and season with garlic salt, to taste.
• Pour into a buttered 9x9-inch baking dish and bake for 1 hour.
• Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

BAKED TWO-CHEESE & BACON GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels., Add water, stock, garlic powder and pepper to bacon drippings; bring to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, 5-7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat., Add Velveeta and butter; stir until melted. Stir in milk. Slowly stir in eggs until blended. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with bacon and shredded cheese. Bake, uncovered, 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Freeze option: Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove casserole from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake grits as directed, increasing time to 50-60 minutes or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

EASY, CREAMY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the chicken broth and whipping cream.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add the grits, and return to boiling.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5-7 minutes.
• Add the cheese, stirring until melted.
• Allow to sit for about 10 minutes.
• Serve.

PAULA DEEN'S GARLIC CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 4-quart casserole dish.
• Bring broth, salt and pepper to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in grits and whisk until completely combined.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until grits are thick.
• Add garlic cheese and milk. Stir.
• Gradually stir in eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined.
• Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bake for 45 minutes or until set.

BAKED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring water and 3/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a 4-quart heavy pot.
• Add grits in a slow stream, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring frequently to avoid sticking, until very thick, about 30 minutes. (Use a long-handled spoon to avoid bubbling and popping hot grits.)
• Add butter, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese, stirring until butter and cheese are melted. Lightly beat eggs and milk in a small bowl, then stir into grits until combined.
• Pour into an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish (2 inches deep) and bake until set and lightly browned, about 1 hour. Serve immediately.
• *Available at bobsredmill.com.

JALAPENO CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the grits according to the directions on the back of the package. Remove from the heat and add next 6 ingredients (Cheddar through chilies). Stir well and season with garlic salt, to taste. Pour into a buttered 9-inch baking dish and bake for 1 hour. Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.

BAKED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2-quart casserole with 2 tablespoons of butter.
• Combine remaining 1/4 cup butter, water, and salt in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. When mixture comes to a simmer, add the grits, stirring until thoroughly combined. Continue to cook the grits at a simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile whisk together egg, cream and pepper. Stir into cooked grits along with cheese. Pour mixture into prepared casserole. Bake until set, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand about 5 minutes before serving.

MOMMA'S SHRIMP AND CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan; stir grits and salt into the boiling water, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer grits until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and keep warm.
• Melt 1/4 cup butter in a pan over medium heat; cook and stir garlic until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in green onions, cooking until green onions are wilted, another 4 minutes.
• Mix shrimp into the garlic and green onions and cook until shrimp are firm and pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
• Just before serving, mix 1/4 cup butter into the cooked grits, followed by processed cheese. Mix thoroughly until creamy and cheese is melted. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Place grits in a bowl, top with the shrimp, and pour pan sauce over shrimp and grits to serve.