Easy Shrimp Grits Casserole (Print View)
Southern-style shrimp and creamy grits baked with cheese for a comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grits
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 Mixture
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
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
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. Stir in butter and sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat.
03 - Toss shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt in a bowl until evenly coated.
04 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté until softened, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
05 - Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet with vegetables. Sauté just until shrimp turn pink and opaque, 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 Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one dish so cleanup is practically nonexistent
- The combination of creamy sharp cheddar grits with smoky spiced shrimp is the kind of thing that makes people close their eyes when they take their first bite
02 -
- Overcooked shrimp is the cardinal sin of this recipe so watch them closely in that skillet phase
- Letting the casserole rest for those five minutes seems pointless but it makes the difference between a mess and neat servings
03 -
- Stirring a quarter cup of cream cheese into the hot grits makes them restaurant-level creamy
- Pat your shrimp dry with paper towels before seasoning them so the spices actually stick