Easy Shrimp & Grits (Printer-friendly)
Savory Southern dish combining creamy grits, seasoned shrimp, and cheese baked to perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grits Base
01 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth for pescatarian
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. Lightly 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 kosher salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Remove from heat, then stir in butter and sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
03 - While grits cook, combine shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, 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 chopped onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet with vegetables. Sauté for 2-3 minutes just until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking.
06 - Spread cooked grits evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Layer the shrimp and vegetable mixture over the grits. Sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese evenly across the top.
07 - Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one dish leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
- The combination of creamy sharp cheddar grits and smoky seasoned shrimp hits every comfort food craving
- It reheats beautifully making it perfect for make-ahead meals or feeding a crowd
02 -
- Overcooking the shrimp in the skillet will make them tough since they cook again in the oven so pull them the moment they turn pink
- Stone-ground grits need the full simmer time to become creamy—rushing this step results in gritty texture
- Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving is essential for clean portions
03 -
- Buy shrimp that still have their shells on and peel them yourself—the shells make incredible seafood stock you can freeze for later
- Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre-shredded bags which contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting