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
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to a moderate temperature of 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the grits casserole.
- In a saucepan, combine chicken broth and minced garlic, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil to infuse flavor into the base.
- 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.
- Allow the grits to cook and thicken, stirring occasionally to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency over 8-10 minutes.
- Incorporate smoked gouda and sharp cheddar into the warm grits, stirring until the cheeses melt completely and create a rich, velvety texture.
- Fold in butter, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the cheesy mixture.
- Whisk Half & Half, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper into the grits, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed.
- Transfer the luxurious cheese mixture into a spacious casserole dish, spreading it evenly to promote uniform cooking.
- 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.
- 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