Easy Shrimp Grits Casserole (Printable version)
Creamy grits topped with seasoned shrimp, cheese, and sautéed veggies for a cozy Southern meal.
# Ingredient list:
→ Grits Base
01 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
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 thick and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
03 - In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt until evenly coated. Set aside while preparing vegetables.
04 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
05 - Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes just until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook. Remove from heat immediately.
06 - Spread cooked grits evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Top with the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the entire surface.
07 - Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden, and the casserole is heated through.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It transforms the classic shrimp and grits into an easy, crowd-friendly dish that feeds six without any last-minute fuss
- The combination of smoked paprika and sharp cheddar creates layers of flavor that make people ask for seconds
02 -
- Overcooking the shrimp before baking makes them rubbery, so remove them from the skillet the moment they turn pink
- Stone-ground grits need that full 15-20 minute simmer to become creamy, and rushing this step leaves them grainy
03 -
- Letting the casserole rest for those full 5 minutes before serving makes the difference between a neat slice and a messy scoop
- A splash of cream or half-and-half in the grits makes them exceptionally luxurious without much extra effort