Easy Baked Gouda Cheese Grits Recipe: Cozy Southern Comfort

Gouda cheese grits represent a Southern comfort classic with a luxurious twist that elevates traditional breakfast fare.

Regional culinary traditions rarely blend rustic ingredients with such elegant sophistication as these creamy, indulgent grits.

Hearty cornmeal crafts into a rich, silky canvas when combined with smooth, melted gouda.

Robust flavors mingle seamlessly, creating a dish that speaks to both home-style cooking and gourmet sensibilities.

Each spoonful promises a delightful contrast between crisp edges and velvety interior, promising pure culinary satisfaction.

cheese lovers and Southern food enthusiasts will find this recipe irresistibly compelling, with its harmonious blend of textures and deep, nutty undertones.

The magic happens when simple ingredients undergo a remarkable craftation in your kitchen.

Why Baked Gouda Cheese Grits Deserve a Spot on Your Menu

• Elevate Comfort Food: Transform ordinary grits into a luxurious, creamy side dish that feels like a warm hug with layers of smoky gouda and sharp cheddar cheese.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Baking these grits ensures a perfectly smooth, consistent texture without constant stirring, making it an easy recipe for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe comes together in under an hour, delivering a rich, decadent dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a hearty side for dinner parties and family gatherings.

What You’ll Need for Baked Gouda Grits

• Gouda Cheese, Sharp Cheddar: Provide rich, smoky, and tangy flavor with melty texture; choose high-quality, freshly grated cheese for best results.
• Butter: Adds creaminess and enhances overall richness of the dish.
• Half & Half: Creates smooth, velvety consistency and adds depth to the grits.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and help create a soft, custard-like texture.

• Quick Cook Grits: Smooth, quick-cooking corn-based grain that forms the base of the dish; opt for stone-ground for more authentic flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Provides savory underlying flavor and helps cook the grits; low-sodium broth recommended for better control of salt content.

• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and complementary flavor to the cheesy grits.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and balance the overall taste profile; use freshly ground black pepper for best results.

Easy Guide to Making Creamy Gouda Grits

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 350°F, getting it ready for some cheesy magic.

Step 2: Kickstart the Broth

In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and garlic to a bubbling boil, creating a fragrant base.

Step 3: Whisk in the Grits

• Quick cook grits

Slowly whisk the grits into the boiling broth, making sure no sneaky lumps remain. Lower the heat and let them simmer for 8-10 minutes until they thicken beautifully.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese Goodness

• Smoked gouda
• Sharp cheddar
• Butter

Step 5: Create the Creamy Mixture

• Half & Half
• Beaten eggs
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir until everything is wonderfully combined.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Dish

Pour the decadent grits mixture into a 4-quart casserole dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the center is set and golden.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Pull out your masterpiece and serve hot, watching everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation!

Tricks for Flavor-Packed Baked Cheese Grits

• Prevent Lumpy Grits: Whisk continuously while adding grits to chicken broth to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without any unwanted clumps.
• Choose Quality Cheese: Select freshly grated smoked gouda and sharp cheddar for maximum flavor and optimal melting performance.
• Temperature Control: Use a reliable oven thermometer to maintain precise 350°F heat for consistent baking and perfect golden-brown edges.
• Stirring Technique: Gently fold ingredients to maintain a silky consistency and distribute cheese evenly throughout the grits mixture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop before baking for enhanced taste.

Store and Reheat Baked Cheese Grits Without Drying Out

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover gouda cheese grits to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread grits in a baking dish, splash a little milk or chicken broth to restore moisture. Cover with foil and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Place grits in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of milk, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Stop heating when the grits are steaming hot and creamy.

Top Pairings for Baked Gouda Cheese Grits

• Craft a Southern Wine Symphony: Pair this creamy, cheesy grits dish with a crisp Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to complement the rich, smoky gouda flavors and cut through the buttery texture.
• Elevate with Protein Companions: Serve alongside crispy bacon strips, grilled shrimp, or herb-crusted chicken breast to create a complete Southern-style comfort meal that balances the cheesy grits' decadence.
• Brighten with Fresh Sides: Add a zesty mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to provide a fresh, acidic contrast to the hearty, creamy grits and bring balance to the plate.
• Toast with Craft Beer Match: Select a malty amber ale or a smooth wheat beer that can stand up to the strong cheese flavors and enhance the overall richness of the baked gouda grits.

Variations to Upgrade Your Grits Game

• Southern Comfort Bacon Grits: Crisp up chopped bacon and fold it into the grits mixture before baking, adding smoky depth and extra crunch to the creamy dish.
• Jalapeño Cheese Grits: Dice fresh jalapeños and mix them into the grits for a spicy kick that complements the rich cheeses, creating a bold southern-style casserole.
• Roasted Vegetable Grits: Incorporate roasted bell peppers, caramelized onions, and diced zucchini to add colorful vegetables and enhance the grits' nutritional profile with extra flavor and texture.
• Herb-Infused Grits: Fold in fresh chopped herbs like thyme, rosemary, and chives to bring a bright, aromatic element that lightens the heavy cheese base and adds complexity to the classic recipe.

Baked Gouda Cheese Grits Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence in these baked gouda cheese grits. Melted cheese and hearty cornmeal blend into a rich, golden casserole that invites you to savor each comforting spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Cheese Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) smoked gouda, shredded or cubed
• 8 ounces (226 grams) sharp cheddar, shredded

Base Liquid and Grains:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) quick cook grits

Additional Ingredients:

• 4 beaten eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) half & half
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 grams) pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the grits casserole.
2. In a saucepan, combine chicken broth and minced garlic, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil to infuse flavor into the base.
3. Gradually introduce quick cook grits into the boiling liquid, whisking continuously to prevent any unsightly lumps from forming, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
4. Allow the grits to cook and thicken, stirring occasionally to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency over 8-10 minutes.
5. Incorporate smoked gouda and sharp cheddar into the warm grits, stirring until the cheeses melt completely and create a rich, velvety texture.
6. Fold in butter, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the cheesy mixture.
7. Whisk Half & Half, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper into the grits, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
8. Transfer the luxurious cheese mixture into a spacious casserole dish, spreading it evenly to promote uniform cooking.
9. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake until the center becomes firm and the top develops a golden, slightly crispy surface, approximately 40-45 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and let rest briefly before serving the creamy, cheesy grits while still hot and appetizing.

Notes

• Prep this comforting Southern dish ahead of time for easy entertaining, perfect for brunch or as a luxurious side dish.
• Smoked gouda and sharp cheddar create a rich, complex cheese flavor that elevates traditional grits to a gourmet experience.
• Whisk grits thoroughly to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture that’s both silky and satisfying.
• Half & Half adds extra richness and helps create a custard-like consistency that makes these grits incredibly indulgent.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so let eggs and dairy sit out for about 15-20 minutes before mixing.
• Casserole dish size matters – use a 4-quart dish to achieve the perfect depth and even baking of your cheesy grits.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 429
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 803 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg