If you love classic Southern comfort food and crave the cozy flavors of cheesy grits paired with juicy, tender shrimp, then you are in for an absolute treat! This Easy Creamy Shrimp and Grits Casserole with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love takes the soul-satisfying goodness of shrimp and grits and transforms it into a bubbling, golden-topped casserole that’s simple enough for a weeknight, but impressive enough for your favorite company. Each bite offers pure comfort, with luscious, creamy grits and rich cheddar flavor in every mouthful. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, this is the le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love, sure to win over everyone at your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this recipe are the real stars—each one brings something special to the casserole! Simple pantry staples get transformed into a creamy, cheesy, and unforgettable Southern dish that showcases the best flavors and textures.
- Water: The base for perfectly cooked, fluffy grits—don’t skip measuring carefully for ideal consistency.
- Stone-ground grits: These create the creamy, hearty texture that sets real Southern casseroles apart from the instant stuff; stone ground makes all the difference here!
- Salt: Enhances every flavor and keeps the grits from tasting bland.
- Black pepper: Just a bit brings depth and subtle warmth to the mix.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): A dash for those who love a gentle kick—add more or less to suit your spice preference.
- Heavy cream: Gives the dish its signature silkiness and rich taste, making it extra comforting.
- Butter: For that classic Southern creaminess and a boost of decadent flavor.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided): A must for that cheesy, melty magic both inside and on top of the casserole’s irresistible crust.
- Olive oil: Helps the shrimp, onion, and garlic cook perfectly without sticking or burning.
- Raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped): Brings that sweet, succulent seafood bite to the casserole—fresh or frozen works great!
- Onion (diced): Sweetens and deepens the flavors, making each layer of the casserole shine.
- Garlic (minced): Adds aromatic punch, giving the casserole its irresistible savory undertone.
- Green onions (chopped): Add freshness, color, and a mild onion kick right at the end.
- Eggs (lightly beaten): These bind everything together and help the casserole set as it bakes.
- Nonstick cooking spray: Keeps the casserole from sticking, so every slice lifts out beautifully (and makes clean-up easy!).
How to Make le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love
Step 1: Prep the Casserole Dish and Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab your trusty 9×13-inch casserole dish and coat it generously with nonstick cooking spray. This step is simple but crucial! It helps the finished le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love lift out cleanly, preserving every creamy, cheesy layer.
Step 2: Cook the Creamy Grits
In a medium saucepan, bring the 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Slowly sprinkle in your stone-ground grits, stirring with love as you go to avoid pesky lumps. Drop the heat to low, cover, and let the mixture simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes—just give it a quick stir now and then to keep things creamy.
Step 3: Flavor and Enrich the Grits
When your grits are tender and have thickened up, stir in the salt, black pepper, a little cayenne if you crave it, heavy cream, butter, and one full cup of that glorious shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This combo turns every bite of the le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love into a rich, creamy dream you’ll crave again and again.
Step 4: Sauté the Shrimp and Aromatics
While your grits are cooking to perfection, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add your prepared shrimp and cook them until they’re just pink—2 to 3 minutes max. Sprinkle in the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for another 2 minutes. Stir in the green onions right at the end for extra freshness, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 5: Mix and Assemble
Fold the sautéed shrimp mixture into your still-warm, cheesy grits. Then, gently stir in your beaten eggs. This creates the foundation for a casserole that holds together beautifully, with the flavor of shrimp infused through every bite. Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly.
Step 6: Top and Bake
Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese over the top, creating that irresistibly golden cheddar crust. Slide it into your preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown. The delicious aroma might drive you wild—just let it rest for 5 minutes before you cut into your le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love!
How to Serve le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love
Garnishes
A finishing sprinkle of fresh green onions overtop delivers a burst of color and a delicate crunch. If you adore extra heat, a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne on each serving of the le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love is just the thing to wake up your taste buds and highlight the cheesy goodness.
Side Dishes
Pair this amazing shrimp and grits casserole with bright sautéed greens like collards or spinach, or keep things classic with sweet corn on the cob or a crisp garden salad. Buttery, warm biscuits or simple garlic bread make a dreamy side for mopping up every last creamy bite of le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd, scoop generous portions straight from the casserole dish onto dinner plates, or serve in individual ramekins for a special touch. For brunch, cut into squares and stack alongside poached eggs. However you present it, the colors and melted cheddar crust create a wow factor that makes le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love the star of any table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow the casserole to cool completely, then cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days without losing its creamy, cheesy luster.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this dish! Once it’s cooled, cut into individual servings for quick thaw-and-eat lunches, or freeze the entire casserole. Wrap well in plastic and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy your le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To revive that velvety texture, reheat slices in the oven at 350°F, covered, until warmed through, about 20 minutes. The microwave also works in a pinch—just cover with a microwave-safe lid and heat in short bursts. If things seem a little dry, stir in a splash of cream or milk before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use instant grits instead of stone-ground?
Yes! If you’re pressed for time, quick-cooking or even instant grits are a great shortcut. Just be sure to adjust the amount of water and cooking time to match the package instructions, and know the texture will be slightly less hearty than with stone-ground.
How spicy is this casserole?
The cayenne is totally optional and can be dialed back or left out for a milder flavor, or bumped up for more of a kick! Hot sauce is another easy way to customise each serving, making the le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love suit everyone’s palate.
What kind of shrimp should I use?
Medium to large raw shrimp work beautifully, and fresh or frozen are both excellent choices. Just be sure to peel, devein, and chop them before adding, so you get even shrimp flavor in every bite of your casserole.
Is this le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love gluten free?
Absolutely! This recipe uses grits (which are naturally gluten free) and no wheat-based thickeners, making it a delicious option for those avoiding gluten. Always double-check your labels, especially if allergies are a concern.
Can I add other proteins or veggies?
Definitely! Stir in crispy bacon, andouille sausage, or sautéed bell peppers for extra flavor and color. This casserole is wonderfully flexible and always turns out crowd-pleasing.
Final Thoughts
If Southern comfort food with a bubbly, cheesy crust is your idea of happiness, you simply have to try le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love. It’s the ultimate cozy casserole, guaranteed to bring joy to your dinner table and satisfy everyone who comes hungry. Happy cooking, and enjoy every creamy, savory bite!
Print
le with Cheddar Crust Everyone Will Love Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Creamy Shrimp and Grits Casserole with Cheddar Crust is a delightful Southern-inspired dish that combines the flavors of tender shrimp, creamy grits, and a cheesy crust baked to perfection. It’s a comforting and flavorful main course that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound raw shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
- nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook Grits: Boil water in a saucepan, add grits, simmer until thick. Add seasonings, cream, butter, and 1 cup cheese.
- Cook Shrimp: Sauté shrimp in olive oil, then add onion and garlic. Stir in green onions.
- Combine and Bake: Mix shrimp with grits, add eggs, pour into dish, top with remaining cheese. Bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Serve: Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add crispy bacon or andouille sausage for extra flavor.
- Use quick-cooking grits to cut down on prep time, adjusting the cook time accordingly.
- For a spicier kick, stir in a dash of hot sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 240 mg
