Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (2024)

By Emily 18 Comments

Enjoy a southern breakfast with this Three Cheese Grits Casserole. Creamy grits mixed with three different cheeses is an easy brunch recipe to feed a crowd!

I’m a southern girl y’all. I was born and raised in the south. I spent about 3 years in Northern Virginia which was a whole different world to me and my parent’s currently live in Michigan. In the world of the north sweet tea is hard to come by and grits are a rarity. I am a grits girl through and through. I love my grits loaded down with cheese, butter and salt and roll my eyes at people who put sugar in their grits. I mean if you do we can still be friends but I just don’t understand it.

Anytime my family gets together we have a big breakfast and it always includes grits. My mom and dad have both perfected their grit making (it’s seriously an art to get them right) and I am slowly learning to make my own. When I was in college I used to make a cheese girts casserole a lot. I would make one and eat off of it for a week because it was just me and it made a lot. It’s been quite awhile since I made one so I decided to change some things up and make this ThreeCheese Grits Casserole.

I have a head full of recipe ideas for grits, so I won’t spill them just now but hopefully they come out like I’m dreaming. This Three Cheese Grits Casserole is perfect for breakfast or brunch. It can easily be made ahead of time and makes enough to feed a crowd!

Ingredients:
-1 Cup Half-n-Half
-3 cups milk
-1 cup uncooked grits
-1/2 a stick of butter
– 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
– 1 cup Colby/Monterey Jack Cheese blend
– 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
-1 egg, beaten
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Add half-n-half and milk to a saucepan and bring to a boil
  2. Turn down heat and stir in grits and butter
  3. Simmer grits on medium low, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes
  4. Mix egg and cheese into the grits
  5. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper and mix
  6. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan
  7. Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top

I love how easy this casserole is to throw together. I had to bring a brunch item to an event a couple of weeks ago and made this Three Cheese Grits Casserole and there was barely any left for me to bring home. I love having grits casserole leftover and call me crazy but I also like cold grits.

I want to know, what do you eat in your grits? Or have you ever even tried grits?

Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (5)

5 from 5 votes

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Three Cheese Grits Casserole

Enjoy a southern breakfast with this Three Cheese Grits Casserole. Creamy grits mixed with three different cheeses is an easy brunch recipe to feed a crowd!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, brunch, cheese, grits

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 8 people

Calories 276 kcal

Author Emily

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Half-n-Half
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 cup uncooked grits
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
  • 1 cup Colby/Monterey Jack Cheese Blend Shredded
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Shredded
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Add half-n-half and milk in a saucepan and bring to a boil

  2. Turn down the heat and stir in grits and butter

  3. Simmer grits on medium low, covered, for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally

  4. Mix egg and cheese into the cooked grits

  5. Add garlic powder, salt and pepper and mix

  6. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan

  7. Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top

If you’re searching for some recipes to serve alongside this Three Cheese Grits Casserole then be sure to try one of these sweet breakfast recipes!

Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Braid

French Toast Casserole

Pumpkin Pie Waffles with a Cream Cheese Glaze

Recommended Supplies for making Three Cheese Grits Casserole

(Affiliate links are included, if you make a purchase I make a small commission at no expense to you!)

Banana Oat Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins

Poppy Seed Bread with an Orange Juice Glaze

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Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (14)

Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (15)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (16)Kellie says

    Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (17)
    I am honing to take this dish to my next Bible study brunch. Looks so yummy.

    Reply

  2. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (18)Rachael Pletz says

    all i have is quick grits, is that ok?

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (19)Emily says

      Yes that should work fine! Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t get too dry when cooking, if they do just add a little more half-n-half. But I think it should be fine, as long as they aren’t the instant grits from the packets.

      Enjoy!
      Emily

      Reply

  3. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (20)Gerrie says

    Can this be made ahead of time and reheated?

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (21)Emily says

      Yes, it is great leftover!

      Emily

      Reply

  4. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (22)Mary Jo Latham-Martin says

    Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (23)
    This looks yummy, Emily. And I”m a Yankee! But my mom served in the Marine Corps in WWII and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC, so maybe that how I learned to love Southern Food. If that sounds intriguing, check out my Facebook author page.

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (24)Emily says

      Southern food has a lot of good things to love! It’s my favorite, thank you for checking out the recipe.

      Emily

      Reply

  5. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (25)Bob says

    Can you assemble day ahead, refrigerate overnight, and cook next day or should you assemble and cook on same day and then reheat the following day? Any preference?

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (26)Emily says

      I would probably assemble and cook on the same day and then reheat the following day. I’ve never tried making it ahead of time but it is delicious reheated! I hope you enjoy!

      Emily

      Reply

  6. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (27)Robin Edmonds says

    There are so many kinds of grits, quick cooking, regular, hominy, stone ground. Which exact kind did you use for this recipe please? I have to make it for a bridal shower and I want it to be perfect. This sounds perfect, I’m just not sure what kind of grits you want us to use. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (28)Emily says

      Hi Robin,

      I usually use the quick cooking 5 minute grits (but not instant) or the regular. I’ve never tried stone ground but I imagine it would be good too! Hope you all enjoy the casserole!

      Emily

      Reply

  7. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (29)Jen k says

    Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (30)
    For a savory dish at supper I do this recipe but add spinach. For breakfast I like to make a breakfast bowl. Grits, scrambled eggs , fried livermush and gravy ,biscuit.

    Reply

  8. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (31)Sharon says

    How many days in advance can this be made? Considering it for a post wedding brunch so would be making two days before reheating. Thank you

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (32)Emily says

      I think that would still be good!

      Emily

      Reply

  9. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (33)Amy Belle says

    Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (34)
    I made it this weekend for a Father’s Day Brunch. It is the best cheese grit casserole I have ever made and received a ton of compliments! I will definitely add this to my list of favorites!!!! Thank you for the recipe!!!

    Reply

    • Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (35)Emily says

      Amy,

      I am so glad you enjoyed it!!

      Emily

      Reply

  10. Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (36)Roxanne Justiz says

    Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (37)
    I have never heard of cheese grits. You can roll your eyes now lol, when I say that I have only had them with butter, cinnamon and sugar. i think it looks delicious and creamy. I can’t wait to try this and share at my next get together. I love that it’s easy, quick, and inexpensive! Thanks for sharing this gem. Shalom

    Reply

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Three Cheese Grits Casserole- (breakfast, brunch, make ahead, recipes) (2024)

FAQs

Can grits be cooked ahead of time? ›

Make ahead: The grits can be made up to 3 days ahead, transferred to a baking dish, cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Reheat uncovered in a 300ºF oven until heated through and stir before serving. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

How do you reheat grits casserole? ›

Reheat grits on the stovetop

Grab a non-stick pan, and set the heat level on your stovetop to low. Spoon the leftover grits into the pan, and add a small drizzle of water, milk, or broth to the grits. Allow the dish to heat on low, constantly stirring and breaking up lumps as you stir.

Do grits reheat well? ›

Grits are easy to prepare, can be a main meal or a side dish, will hold for hours in a low oven and reheat wonderfully as leftovers, even in the microwave.

Can you refrigerate uncooked grits? ›

They don't HAVE to be kept in the fridge, but I do and I would recommend it too since we all know that even bugs are more attracted to the "good stuff", the stuff like whole grains that have good stuff in them.

Does breakfast casserole reheat well? ›

This breakfast casserole will keep for a few days in the fridge, covered. You can microwave it until it's hot, one serving at a time, or you can reheat the whole casserole in a 350°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes until it's heated through.

How do you reheat a casserole without drying it out? ›

The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

How do you keep grits from getting hard after cooking? ›

A higher 5:1 ratio by volume of water to grits ensures they cook through fully with no stubborn, hard bits. The recommended stone-ground grits offer the best flavor and texture, particularly when compared to grits made with commercial varieties with a more consistent grind.

Can cooked grits sit out overnight? ›

How Long Can Food Sit Out? The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food and safety basics states cooked food can be left at room temperature up to two hours.

How do you keep grits fresh longer? ›

Store-bought grits stored in the pantry will be at peak flavor for three to six months before suffering from diminishing returns. However, if you store them in the freezer they will be fresh-tasting for at least six months and up to a year.

How do you reheat grits without lumps? ›

Transfer the leftover grits to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a splash of milk or water to the grits to help them loosen up and prevent them from drying out. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Microwave the grits on high for 1-2 minutes, or until they are heated through.

Are cheese grits good for breakfast? ›

Grits are cooked in liquid, either water or milk. Experiment as you will, but I find that 1/4 c of grits and 3/4 c skim milk, with a pinch or two of cheese, makes a perfect, filling, warm (fast!) breakfast.

Are grits good for your bowels? ›

Grits themselves are not known to cause constipation. However, a diet lacking in fiber, which is important for regular bowel movements, might contribute to constipation. Incorporating a balanced mix of high-fiber foods alongside grits can help maintain digestive health.

What do southerners eat with grits? ›

Serving Southern Grits

We often eat these grits as-is for breakfast (or topped with a fried egg or crumbled sausage). But they also make a delicious bed for stove-cooked beans or sautéed greens, and are a welcome side for weeknight dinners and holidays, too.

How to hold grits for service? ›

Turn down heat to a low simmer and continue to stir often to ensure lumps do not form. Grits should be of a creamy texture when done. Hold above 135°F for service. If grits become firm during service add in hot water and mix to bring back to proper consistency.

How to keep grits from getting hard after cooking? ›

A higher 5:1 ratio by volume of water to grits ensures they cook through fully with no stubborn, hard bits. The recommended stone-ground grits offer the best flavor and texture, particularly when compared to grits made with commercial varieties with a more consistent grind.

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