Southern Grits Casserole

Experience true comfort food bliss with this Southern Grits Casserole, a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner. Crafted with rich stone-ground grits, creamy cheddar cheese, and savory ground breakfast sausage, this casserole is baked to golden perfection with a touch of warm paprika and optional green onion garnish. The creamy texture of the grits contrasts beautifully with the crispy edges of the baked top layer, while garlic powder and black pepper lend subtle depth to every bite. Easy to prepare and wonderfully satisfying, this recipe is designed to feed a crowd with minimal effort, making it an ideal choice for family gatherings, holiday mornings, or weekend indulgence. Whether enjoyed as a standalone main or paired with fresh fruit and biscuits, this Southern Grits Casserole showcases the soul-warming magic of traditional Southern cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 cup green onions, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

In a large saucepan, bring the water and kosher salt to a boil. Gradually stir in the grits, reducing the heat to low. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring often, until the grits are thick and creamy.

Step 3

While the grits are cooking, cook the ground breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside.

Step 4

Remove the grits from heat and stir in the butter, 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until the cheese and butter are fully melted and incorporated.

Step 5

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Slowly add the egg mixture to the grits, stirring constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Step 6

Fold the cooked sausage into the grits mixture, distributing it evenly.

Step 7

Pour the grits mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese over the top. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle the paprika evenly over the cheese.

Step 8

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is set.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy your Southern Grits Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2282.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3879.3

Total Fat 281.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 1076.3mg	0%
Sodium 6301.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.0g	0%
Total Sugars 13.5g
Protein 148.3g	0%

Vitamin D 237.4IU	0%
Calcium 2232.0mg	0%
Iron 9.5mg	0%
Potassium 2308.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.4%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 19.3%