• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Savor the Flavour

  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy/Disclaimer
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy/Disclaimer
×

Home » Breakfast

Southern Cheese Grits Casserole

Published: Nov 8, 2019 · Modified: May 2, 2022 by Brooke · This post may contain affiliate links, which can earn us a commission.

567 shares
  • 168
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The first time I remember having grits was many years ago in Savannah, Georgia.  I was hooked with my first bite of this amazing cheesy dish!  You'll love this cheese grits casserole, too.

person holding a bowl of Southern cheese grits casserole

Jump to:
  • Questions
  • How to Make
  • Variations
  • Pro Tip
  • Recommended Tools
  • Recipe

Want to see our latest recipes?  Subscribe to our email newsletter to get our latest recipes, fun food facts, food puns, and behind the scenes news about our blog.

Questions

Where did grits originate?

Native Americans ground corn into grits and cooked it into a thick maize porridge.

What does it taste like?

When you eat this a few minutes after you make it, it tastes smooth, creamy, and warm.  Grits by themselves don't have a lot of taste, so it's best to add salt, cheese, and other ingredients to heighten the flavor.

You can serve this recipe sweet with butter and sugar or savory with cheese, meat, and vegetables stirred in.  The consistency is similar to a thick porridge.

What's the difference between white and yellow grits?

White has more sugar in it, and yellow is higher in starch.  If you don't have to watch your diet for health reasons, pick the one you prefer.

bowl of cheese grits casserole with cheese and green onion

Are grits better with milk or water?

They need to be cooked in a liquid.  The most popular choice is water, but it really depends on what you are serving with this dish and the time of day.  If it's breakfast, it's common to use both water and milk.

If you're making this for supper, it's more common to use chicken broth.  If you want the taste of the corn to shine through, use only water.  If you want to add a bit of cream to make them extra creamy, add the cream at the end.

Can this be made ahead of time?

Yes and no, it depends.  This recipe is best eaten right away, but if you need to make them ahead of time, follow these guidelines.  Make the casserole, but don't bake it yet.  Instead allow it to cool, cover tightly and refrigerate.  When ready to eat, bake it at 400 F until golden brown.

person holding a spoonful of cheese grits casserole

What to do you serve with this recipe?

This depends on if you are serving this for breakfast or supper.  If you are having this for breakfast, serve it with eggs, bacon, or sausage.  If you are having this for supper, serve it with seafood (shrimp, scallops, or salmon) and collard greens.

Are grits healthy?

The healthiest type is stone ground.  This kind has more texture, because it isn't ground as finely as quick or regular.  By themselves are quite healthy, but they are bland, so most people add in other ingredients to improve the taste.  What you add will determine how healthy they are.

What are the calories in one serving?

This recipe has 247 calories for a ¾ cup serving size.  This casserole is high in vitamin A and calcium and has 19 g carbs per serving.  If you would like more nutritional information, scroll down to the bottom of the recipe card.

baking dish of Southern cheese grits casserole with a spoon

How do you reheat this?

  • Warm on top of the stove in a pot over medium low heat.  Whisk in some water, milk, or chicken broth to make it less thick.
  • Put the casserole in a warm oven for one hour, or until it's reheated through.

Can this recipe be frozen?

Yes, it can, just follow these tips.  It's best to assemble the casserole in a freezer to oven safe dish.  Follow steps 1 to 6 in the recipe card.  Allow the casserole to cool completely then seal so it's air tight and place it in the freezer for up to one month.  When ready to use, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake it for 40 minutes in a 400 F.

How to Make

 Gather all your ingredients.  Grate the three cheeses: smoked Gouda, extra sharp cheddar and Parmesan then chop the green onion.

ingredients for Southern cheese grits casserole

In a large Dutch oven, pour 5 ⅓ cups of filtered water. 

person pouring water into a Dutch oven

Add ½ teaspoon of salt to the water and stir it in.  Cover the Dutch oven and bring the water to a boil.

adding salt to the pot of water

Slowly add the grits to the hot water.

adding grits to the pot of boiling water

Whisk it into the boiling water so they don't clump.  Cook uncovered for 5 minutes or until they have become thick then remove the pot from the element.

whisking the grits into boiling water

Add in ½ cup of salted butter.

person adding butter to a pot of grits

Whisk it until it melts and is well incorporated.

person whisking a pot of cooked grits

Add the grated smoked Gouda and the extra sharp cheddar.

whisking grated cheese into a pot of cooked grits

Whisk in the spices: white pepper, garlic powder and the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of salt.

person holding a tray of spices for cheese grits casserole

In a medium sized bowl, lightly beat 2 eggs with a fork.

person stabbing an egg yolk with a fork

Pour in the 1 ¼ cups of whole milk and whisk together with the eggs.

pouring milk into a bowl of beaten egg

Pour the egg mixture into the cheese mixture and whisk until it's smooth.

whisking the egg and milk mixture into a pot of grits

Grease a casserole dish with butter using your fingers.

person buttering a square baking pan

Pour in the hot cheese grits and sprinkle with the ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

sprinkling cheese on top of Southern cheese grits casserole

Bake in a 400 F oven for 30 to 40 minutes.  The casserole should be set in the middle and a nice golden brown color.

dish of Southern cheese grits casserole

When ready to serve, garnish with grated extra sharp cheese and chopped green onion.  Serve it while it's still hot.

person sprinkling grated cheddar on a bowl of cheese grits casserole

Variations

  • Want to add meat?  Try bacon, sausage, or andouille.
  • Want to add more vegetables?  Try green chilies, jalapeños, spinach, corn, or green bell pepper.
  • Don't want to add milk?  Try chicken broth.
  • Want additional dairy?  Try sour cream or heavy cream.
  • Want this vegan?  Use vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and spices.

Pro Tip

  • Taste as you go, grits taste best with the right amount of salt.

side view of a bowl of cheese grits casserole

Recommended Tools

  • Box Grater: quickly grate your favorite cheeses with this sturdy grater.
  • Measuring Spoons: these stainless steel measuring spoons are a great tool.
  • Set of 3 Whisks: these whisks don't bend out of shape easily!
  • Emeril Lagasse Dutch Oven: this heavy-bottomed pot is perfect for cooking this recipe.
  • Quick Grits: can't find grits in your grocery store?  Get them online instead.

If you like this recipe, try out this other delicious Southern recipe!

  • Southern Fried Apples

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

person holding a spoonful of Southern cheese grits

Southern Cheese Grits Casserole

Southern cheese grits casserole is a simple breakfast idea, perfect for kids or for a crowd.  This popular comfort food tastes amazing served in a bowl or on a plate, piping hot.  This savory dish is guaranteed to please!
4.7 from 3 votes
Print Pin FavoriteSaved! Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked cheese grits casserole recipe, garlic cheese grits casserole
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 9 cups
Calories: 463kcal
Author: Brooke

Ingredients
 

For the Casserole

  • 5 ⅓ cups water
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 ½ cups enriched quick grits
  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 1 cup smoked Gouda, grated
  • 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ¼ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

For the Garnish

  • ½ cup spring onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
US Imperial - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan with butter.
  • Pour the water into a 6-quart Dutch oven and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Stir ½ teaspoon of salt into the water.
  • Once the water is boiling, gradually pour in the 2 ½ cups of grits, stirring continuously, then turn the heat down to a simmer.  Cook until it has become thick, roughly 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.  Remove the pot from the heat.
  • Add the butter, grated smoked Gouda, grated extra sharp cheddar, garlic powder, white pepper, and the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of salt.  Whisk thoroughly.  Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
  • Mix together the eggs and the milk in a separate bowl until blended, then pour the egg mixture into the pot.  Stir until well combined.  Add a bit more milk to thin it, if necessary.
  • Spread it in the greased baking pan and sprinkle ½ cup of Parmesan cheese on top.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.  The casserole should be set and a nice golden brown on top.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Garnish with chopped green onion and shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese.  Serve while still warm.

Notes

  • Grits needs salt, so it's better to taste and adjust the seasonings before it's baked.

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcal (23%)Carbohydrates: 36g (12%)Protein: 19g (38%)Fat: 28g (43%)Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 120mg (40%)Sodium: 1068mg (46%)Potassium: 197mg (6%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 858IU (17%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 444mg (44%)Iron: 2mg (11%)

This recipe was originally published on March 21, 2018.

« French Carrot Salad
Vegetable Stir Fry with Orange Sauce »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah H

    February 21, 2021 at 12:35 pm

    4 stars
    What is the best way to reheat leftovers? Any tips on that?

    Love the recipe- I added asparagus, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes. Didn’t have Gouda, so I doubled the cheddar and only used half the butter recommended. It turned out great!

    Reply
    • Emma

      February 22, 2021 at 6:50 am

      We're so glad that you enjoyed the casserole, Sarah! Reheat it in the oven at 350 F for 10-20 minutes or until hot. You can also individually heat portions in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.

      Reply
  2. Greg

    August 09, 2020 at 10:25 am

    In the ingredients list you have 2 1/2 cups of grits but in the instructions it is 1 1/2 cups. Which is it? I went with 2 1/2 based on the amount of water

    Reply
    • Emma

      August 10, 2020 at 6:38 am

      Thanks for pointing out this typo, Greg! We'll change it to say 2 1/2 cups of grits in the recipe instructions.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

two ladies smiling

Welcome to our kitchen! We're Brooke & Emma, the mother-daughter team behind Savor the Flavour. As self-taught cooks and bakers, we love to inspire you to cook from scratch with real food for your family. Increase your kitchen confidence with our tempting recipes, instructional photos, and helpful tips and facts.

More about us →

July 4th Recipes

  • No Bake Cherry Cheesecake
  • Sloppy Joe Sliders
  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
  • Pretzel Buns Recipe
  • Cowboy Caviar Recipe
  • Chipotle Barbacoa (Copycat Recipe with Video)

Popular Posts

  • Blue Lagoon Mocktail
  • Copycat Chick-fil-A Kale Crunch Salad
  • Avocado Lime Ranch - Chick-fil-A Copycat
  • The Best Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri You'll Ever Taste
  • How to Make a Ploughman's Lunch
  • Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Copycat Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Work with Us
  • Press

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Sign Up for Newsletter

Other

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2022 Savor The Flavour