Easy Shrimp Grits Casserole (Print Page)
Southern-style baked dish with creamy grits, seasoned shrimp, sautéed vegetables, and melted cheese topping.
# What You Need:
→ Grits Base
01 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
→ Shrimp Preparation
06 - 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
13 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
14 - 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
15 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Topping
17 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Stir in grits and salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Stir in butter and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
03 - While grits cook, combine shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. Toss to coat evenly and set aside.
04 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet with vegetables. Sauté just until shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
06 - Spread cooked grits evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Top with the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
07 - Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and casserole is heated through.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The convenience of assembling everything ahead and baking when you are ready makes this perfect for low stress entertaining
- Creamy grits and plump shrimp create that classic Southern comfort food combination that feels like a warm hug
02 -
- Overcooking the shrimp before baking makes them rubbery so remove them from the skillet as soon as they turn pink
- Stone ground grits need that full simmer time to become creamy so resist the urge to rush this step
03 -
- Stir in 1/4 cup cream cheese with the cheddar for extra velvety grits that hold their texture beautifully
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for better melting and smoother texture