Shrimp and Grits Casserole

This Southern Shrimp and Grits Casserole is an impressive dish filled with bold flavors and comforting textures. In it, creamy grits are topped with a flavorful medley of seasoned shrimp, bell peppers and tomatoes. Serve it for breakfast, brunch, lunch or supper any time of year.

Ingredients to Make Shrimp and Grits Casserole Recipe

Shrimp and grits is a traditional Southern dish that epitomizes comfort food with its blend of flavors and textures. Whether you like grits from the low country region of South Carolina and Georgia or Creole or Cajun grits, the outcome will be equally delicious. Southern shrimp and grits typically consists of sautéed or pan-seared shrimp served over a bed of creamy grits, often accompanied by a flavorful sauce and a variety of seasonings depending on the region. This recipe is a stellar option for serving flavorful shrimp and grits as a creamy grits casserole topped with a buttery bread crumb topping. Ingredients to make homemade Shrimp and Grits Casserole: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Grits: Two cups quick cooking grits.
• Liquid: Six cups low sodium chicken stock or chicken broth and two cups half and half.
• Seasoning for the Grits: Garlic salt.
• Butter: Salted or unsalted butter to add richness to the grits.
• Cream Cheese: One container of chive and onion cream cheese makes the grits super creamy.
• Cheese: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a cheesy flavoring.
• Shrimp: One pound of large shrimp.
• Bacon: Sliced crispy cooked bacon.
• Veggies for the Sauce: Green onions, red bell pepper and green bell pepper.
• Garlic: Three garlic clove adds a robust flavor to the sauce.
• Flour: All purpose flour to coat the shrimp and thicken the sauce.
• Tomatoes: One can of Rotel tomatoes with green chiles for the tomato based sauce.
• Seasonings for the Shrimp: Cajun seasoning, garlic salt or table salt and lemon pepper.
• Breadcrumb Topping: Panko breadcrumbs tossed with Parmesan cheese and melted butter.

How to Make the BEST Shrimp and Grits Casserole Recipe

• Make Grits -In a saucepan bring the chicken broth, half-and-half and garlic salt to a boil. Whisk in the grits gradually in a steady steam. Reduce to a simmer and allow to cook per the recipe until the grits are tender.
• Butter and Cream Cheese – To the pot add the butter and cream cheese, stir until fully combined.
• Cheddar Cheese – Remove from the heat adding shredded cheddar cheese, mix well.
• Prepare Pan – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Transfer Grits to Baking Dish – Pour grits into baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the reserved cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Cook Bacon – Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Reserve drippings in skillet.
• Cook Veggies – Add the green onion, red bell pepper and green bell peppers. Cook until tender then add the garlic.
• Make the Sauce – Add the flour. Mix until absorbed then add the Rotel tomatoes, simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes.
• Add Shrimp to Sauce – Add the shrimp, Cajun seasoning, garlic salt and lemon pepper. Mix well, then remove from the heat.
• Pour Shrimp Over Grits – Remove the grits from the oven. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the grits.
• Top with Breadcrumbs – Toss together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese with melted butter. Sprinkle on top of the shrimp.
• Bake Shrimp – Return to the oven and bake per the recipe or just until the shrimp is opaque.
• Serve – Let stand for 5 minutes, then serve garnished with crumbled bacon and green onions.

Tips for Making Shrimp and Grits Casserole

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: Large saucepan, medium-size skillet, measuring cups and spoons, sharp knife and cutting board, whisk and 13×9-inch baking dish.
• What are Southern Grits? Grits are made from ground corn much like polenta although the process is slightly different. It’s more finely ground that polenta and using quick cooking, not instant grits, in this recipe results in a creamy texture.
• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp on the Stovetop: The shrimp in this casserole are tender and succulent, absorbing the flavors of the seasonings and sauce. Once they’re added to the top of the grits, they finish cooking in the oven. Don’t be tempted to cook them completely on the stovetop or they can become tough.
• Use Large Shrimp: If the shrimp are too small, they’ll cook too quickly. Keep in mind that they are tossed with the sauce and baked to perfection.
• Make-Ahead Tips: You can cook the grits on the stovetop one day in advance, then pour into the baking dish and chill. They will solidify in the fridge so it’s important to bring to room temperature then bake per the recipe, extending the time, if needed. The shrimp topping should be made per the recipe just before spooning over the grits and baking. I don’t recommend making the shrimp in advance.
• How to Serve Shrimp and Grits Casserole: Shrimp and grits is typically served as a main course. It is often garnished with chopped green onions or parsley and accompanied by side dishes like collard greens or cornbread.

Recipe Variations

• Cheese: You can use another variety of cheese in the grits. Gruyere cheese, gouda cheese, white cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese or swiss cheese.
• Bacon: You could replace bacon with diced smoked andouille sausage.
• Peppers: You can use poblano pepper or jalapeno pepper in place of green pepper.
• Half and Half: You can use heavy cream in place of half and half for extra creamy grits.
• Fresh Herbs: You could top with fresh thyme leaves, chives or parsley.
• ​Spice: You could add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the sauce for added spice.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store leftover Shrimp and Grits Casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: Shrimp can be tricky to reheat due to the fact that they overcook easily. In this recipe, they will reheat more easily and stay tender if you mix them into the grits prior to reheating gently in the microwave or in a preheated 350°F oven.
• Alternative Option for Reheating: You can remove the shrimp from the top of the grits and reheat them separately then combine for serving.
• Freezer: You can freeze the shrimp and the grits separately for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat and reassemble just before serving.

More Easy Casseroles to Make

• Chicken and Rice Casserole is filling and easy to make.
• This Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole can be served as a side dish from breakfast to dinner.
• Enjoy this Ravioli Casserole for your next Italian night at home.
• This Hoppin’ John Casserole recipe opts for a cornbread topping sans rice.
• Bacon Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is a one dish meal.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is a fusion dish that you’re sure to make on repeat.
• Easy Enchilada Casserole is a real family pleaser.
• Make this Chicken and Dressing Casserole in your crockpot.
• Root Vegetable One-Dish Casserole from Food Network.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13×9-inch Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives