Cheesy Grits Casserole with Smoked Sausage is wonderfully cheesy and rich and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You won’t be able to get enough of this wholesome southern casserole.
Cheesy Grits Casserole is a favorite of mine and it makes a great weeknight meal or brunch casserole for the upcoming holidays. Typically grits casserole is a little on the heavy side, but I’ve lightened it up by using Butterball Turkey Dinner Sausage, just a touch of butter, and less cheese than usual (use low fat cheese if you wish).
The casserole can be assembled a day ahead of time to make for an easy dinner or brunch the next day. Just let it sit out at room temperature while the oven heats and add a few minutes to the cooking time. In no time at all, you’ll have a wholesome, rich, and creamy meal on the table. If serving for dinner, I like to add a small side salad.
How To Make Cheesy Grits Casserole With Smoked Sausage:
- Cook the sliced sausage in a skillet for a few minutes. Add the red bell pepper and onion and continue to cook until they are soft and the sausage is browned.
- Cook the grits.
- Whisk together the eggs, milk, and garlic powder. Whisk some of the hot grit mixture in to temper the eggs. Then completely combine the two.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and half the cheddar cheese as well as the sausage mixture.
- Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese on top. Bake for 45 minutes.
Try These Other Grits Recipes:
- Crock Pot Grits
- Grits Fritters
- Creamiest Grits Ever
- Pimento Cheese Grits
- Cheese and Bacon Grits Casserole
- Smothered Shrimp and Grits
Cheesy Grits Casserole With Smoked Sausage
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 package smoked sausage,, sliced (use turkey for a lighter casserole)
- ½ red bell pepper,, diced
- 4 green onions,, sliced
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ cups quick-cooking grits
- ½ cup milk
- 2 eggs,, lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 11x7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Heat oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet. Add sliced sausage and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add red bell pepper and onion and sauté 3 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, bring water and chicken broth to a boil. Add salt and then slowly stir grits in. Simmer grits for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- In a medium bowl whisk together milk, eggs, and garlic powder. Slowly stir in about 1 cup of the hot grits to temper the eggs. Then pour milk/grits mixture into saucepan with the rest of the grits. Stir well to combine.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and ½ of the Cheddar cheese. Mix in the sausage mixture. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese on top.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake 45 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published Sept 18, 2014.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
This looks so yummy! Would this recipe work with regular grits rather than quick cooking grits? Would the oven cooking time change?
Yes, you can use regular grits. The oven time won’t change but you will want to cook the a little longer in Step 4.
I’m a widow, cooking for one. I know it has a small amount of milk in it, but does anyone know if this would freeze well in individual serving sizes?
Thank you for your prompt reply. I will definitely give this a go at our next family brunch and would highly recommend it to all. It is a delicious addition to a Southern (and possibly any) brunch.
Love this casserole, but Christmas morning takes up both my ovens. Can this be made in a crockpot/slow cooker? If so, could I get instructions?
It can definitely be made in a crockpot Sandy. I haven’t made this particular recipe in a crockpot so I’m not exactly sure about the best cooking time. Instead of pouring it into a baking dish, pour it into the crockpot. And I would try cooking it on LOW for 2-3 hours. You really just need to get it hot enough that the eggs set up.
made this tonight and it was incredible! Great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing. I used the English sausage bangers instead and it was fabulous!
So glad you enjoyed it Amy! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Made this casserole on the fly tonight. Super easy and super good. My family loved it and is looking forward to left overs. Thanks
Glad y’all enjoyed it and thanks for leaving the feedback. Have a great week!
Sausage and cheesy grits.. for those that have the Pappadeaux restaurant near you, this is a staple on their menu but it is not the same everywhere. Best I had was at the restaurant in Cincinnati, worse was the restaurant in Austin , TX though they redeemed themselves with epic fried crawfish platter. I love their grits, very cheesy and savory though I think the sausage is pork not turkey.
We love grits at my home, and I can never resist a make-ahead-meal. Casseroles are a great go to meal in the Autumn, and smoked sausage sounds like an awesome addition to this recipe! 😀
Yum! Smoked sausage always reminds me of dishes mom made growing up, and so genius to pair it with grits! What a fabulous and super easy dish!
Totally drooling over how cheesey and delicious this casserole is. It is the perfect weeknight comforting meal.. thanks for the great recipe!