Southern Grits Casserole

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Looking for a dish that will really wow your guests? This Southern grits casserole is sure to do the trick! It's made with creamy grits, ground beef, cheesy goodness, and a hint of spice. Trust us; this one is worth getting out of bed for!

Southern Grits Casserole.

This Southern grits casserole recipe is the perfect dish to satisfy your hunger and your craving for delicious southern food. It’s easy to make and will leave you feeling full and happy. Serve this casserole for breakfast, lunch, dinner, at your next dinner party, or whenever you need food that can feed a crowd. The best part is that it’s simple enough for a weeknight meal – so you can enjoy it any time you want.

It's not a classic breakfast with the ground beef addition, but grits are one of those versatile bases in recipes that can be served any time of day. So, use this for your next brunch event with great success.

If you like easy recipes that can work for any meal of the day, then make sure you check out our ham and potato casserole. So tasty and easy!

square of Southern grits casserole on small blue plate by striped towel

Ingredients

For the grits

1 ½ cups old-fashioned grits (255g)
6 cups of water (1 liter + 500ml)
3 tablespoons butter (42g)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g)
1 teaspoon salt (6g)
1 teaspoon black pepper (3g)

For the meat and eggs

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium white onion
1 pound ground beef (500g)
1 teaspoon paprika (6g)
½ teaspoon black pepper (1.5g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt (9g)
10 large eggs
½ cup milk (60ml)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g)

white ramekins filled with ingredients to make Southern grits casserole

Useful Kitchen Tools

oval baking dish of grits casserole on cutting board next to wooden spoon and striped kitchen towel

How to Make Grits Casserole

You will begin by making your grits. This will then be added to a meat and egg mixture before baking. Grits require your attention while they cook, so I recommend making them first before you begin any other steps.

Bring the 6 cups of water to a boil over medium heat then add in the grits, and cook them, stirring constantly for 10 to 12 minutes. They will thicken and most of the moisture will be absorbed into the grits so it is a thick porridge-like texture.

Once they are cooked and thickened, season with salt and black pepper, then stir in the butter and 1 cup of the already shredded cheddar until it is melted. Now, set this aside to prepare the rest of the casserole filling.

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray then set it aside.

In a large skillet, you will heat the olive oil over medium heat then add in the onions and cook them, stirring regularly, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they are tender and starting to get some color.

Add the ground meat to the skillet, and then season it with ½ of the salt and ½ of the black pepper you set aside for this part of the recipe. Then stir in the paprika.

raw ground meat and spices on top of cooked onions in skillet on black hot plate

While the meat is cooking, whisk the eggs, salt, black pepper, and milk together in a large bowl and set them aside.

white bowl of eggs and milk sitting on marble table beside whisk and napkin

When the meat is done cooking, pour the whisked eggs into the skillet and stir to combine then cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the eggs are mostly cooked through, scrambled, and mixed into the meat well.

beaten eggs in skillet with cooked ground beef

Now, combine this meat and egg mixture with the grits you already prepared.

grits and ground meat stirred together in skillet

Stir until they are combined then pour into the prepared baking dish from earlier. Top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

cheese being sprinkled over top of casserole

Then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and browning on top.

Southern grits casserole in white baking dish on wooden board

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do Southerners Put In Grits?

There are many different ways to make grits, but the basic ingredients are always the same: water, salt, and grits. Grits are made from ground corn, and they can be either white or yellow. In the South, yellow grits are more common, but you can use either type for this recipe.

Once you have your grits, you can add whatever toppings or mix-ins you like. Some people like to keep it simple with just butter and salt, while others like to add cheese, bacon, or even seafood.

However, butter and cheese are always a must. If you want true southern grits casserole, make sure you have added the butter and cheese.

Can You Use Milk Instead of Water in Grits?

Yes, you can use milk instead of water to make your grits. This will make them even creamier and more delicious. If you want to try this, replace the amount of water called for with an equal amount of milk. You can also use half water and half milk. In a larger batch such as this, I would go with half water and half milk.

What Meats Can I Use in My Grits Casserole?

I am using ground beef in the grits casserole. You can also use sausage, either ground sausage or sausage links that are cut into pieces. Another option that is common is to use cooked bacon. Almost any meat, including leftover chicken, steak, or pork from last night's dinner, can be added to this casserole.

Can You Freeze Grits Casserole?

Yes, this Southern grits casserole can be frozen. You can freeze the casserole two ways. First, you can freeze the casserole before it is baked. In this case, you can make the casserole up to the baking step. Wrap the casserole well with plastic wrap. Place the casserole dish, flat, in the freezer and freeze for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to serve the casserole, remove it from the freezer, and place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Once thawed, bake the casserole according to the directions. If the casserole is cold when it goes in the oven, it might need a few extra minutes.

The other way to freeze is to freeze the leftovers. This is a great way to have a meal on hand for those busy mornings or nights. Simply place the leftovers in a freezer-safe container or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat, remove the casserole from the freezer. It is easiest to reheat it when it is thawed, but you can reheat the cooked casserole from frozen. Be sure to watch it carefully so it does not get overcooked and rubbery.

wood spoon laying on marble table beside baking dish of cheesy grits casserole

More Easy Breakfast Casseroles

Breakfast is one of our favorite times to make a casserole. It is so easy to combine those classic flavors into a one-dish meal. Below are a few more of our favorite breakfast casseroles. These savory dishes are sure to be a hit at your breakfast or brunch table. Make sure that you bookmark these, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon.

Yield: 8

Southern Grits Casserole

Make a classic Southern grits casserole for the perfect breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Loaded with cheesy grits, ground beef, and eggs in every bite!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the grits

1 ½ cups old fashioned grits (255g)
6 cups of water (1 liter + 500ml)
3 tablespoons butter (42g)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g)
1 teaspoon salt (6g)
1 teaspoon black pepper (3g)

For the meat and eggs

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium white onion
1 pound ground beef (500g)
1 teaspoon paprika (6g)
½ teaspoon black pepper, divided (1.5g)
1 ½ teaspoon salt, divided (9g)
10 large eggs
½ cup milk (60ml)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g)

Instructions

In a large stockpot, bring the 6 cups of water to a boil then stir in the grits. Cook the grits, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are cooked and thickened nicely.
Season the grits with salt and black pepper, then add in the butter and 1 cup of cheese. Stir to combine and set this aside.
Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray. Set this aside.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat then add in the onions and cook for 5 minutes until tender.
Add the ground beef to the skillet, and cook it for another 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
While the meat cooks, whisk the eggs, milk, ½ of the salt, and ½ of the black pepper together in a large bowl. Set this aside.
Season the meat with the remaining salt, pepper, and paprika. Then, pour the egg mixture over the meat and cook, stirring regularly, until the eggs are set and cooked through.
Combine the grits and meat together and then pour into the baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar and bake for 25 minutes.