Buttery, Creamy Cheese Grits Recipe: Southern Comfort Magic

Southern comfort food reaches its pinnacle with creamy cheese grits, a delectable dish that changes humble ingredients into pure culinary magic.

grits represent a cornerstone of traditional cuisine, offering rich, velvety textures that tantalize taste buds and warm hearts.

Smooth, luxurious, and impossibly satisfying, this recipe elevates a simple staple into an extraordinary experience.

Cornmeal’s subtle sweetness gets amplified by melted cheese, creating depth and complexity that dance across your palate.

Silky strands of dairy blend seamlessly with stone-ground corn, producing a side dish that feels both rustic and refined.

Every spoonful tells a story of regional tradition and homestyle cooking, connecting you to generations of culinary expertise.

The ultimate comfort food awaits those who crave indulgent, soul-satisfying flavors.

Why Creamy Cheese Grits Are Always a Good Idea

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Creaminess: These cheese grits boast an ultra-smooth, luxurious texture that glides across your palate, creating a rich and indulgent eating experience.
• Quick and Easy Comfort: With just a few simple steps and minimal ingredients, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or lazy weekend brunches.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: The combination of sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan creates a deep, complex flavor profile that elevates basic grits into a gourmet side dish everyone will crave.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adaptable to multiple occasions, these grits work beautifully as a breakfast accompaniment, standalone comfort food, or sophisticated side dish that pairs wonderfully with proteins like shrimp, chicken, or steak.

What Goes Into Creamy Cheese Grits

• Water, Half and Half: Provides the creamy, smooth foundation for cooking grits, with half and half adding richness and depth to the dish.

• Quick Grits, Salt: Quick grits cook faster and have a finer texture, while salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and helps balance the cheesy richness.

• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Sharp cheddar brings bold flavor, while Parmesan adds a nutty, complex taste; both should be at room temperature for smooth melting.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides extra creaminess and a silky finish to the grits, helping to bind the ingredients together.

Simple Method for Creamy Cheese Grits at Home

Step 1: Create the Liquid Foundation

Pour water and half and half into a medium saucepan. Sprinkle salt into the liquid. Crank up the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, watching the salt dissolve completely.

Step 2: Introduce the Grits

Slowly pour the quick grits into the bubbling liquid, whisking continuously. This gentle technique prevents pesky lumps from forming and guarantees a silky smooth texture.

Step 3: Gentle Cooking Process

Lower the heat to its lowest setting. Cover the saucepan and let the grits simmer. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. The grits will absorb the liquid and become wonderfully soft, which takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4: Cheese and Butter Magic

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Sprinkle in the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Add a generous pat of butter. Stir vigorously until the cheeses melt completely and blend into a luxurious, creamy mixture.

Step 5: Final Seasoning

Crack some fresh black pepper over the top. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The cheeses might add extra saltiness, so go easy and taste as you season.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the grits to warm serving bowls. Serve immediately for the most luxurious, creamy consistency. The grits will naturally thicken as they cool, so timing is everything!

Ways to Improve Your Creamy Cheese Grits Game

• Prevent Lumpy Grits: Whisk grits slowly and steadily into boiling liquid to guarantee a silky, smooth texture without any annoying clumps.
• Control Liquid Ratio: Adjust water and half and half quantities based on desired creaminess, keeping the overall liquid measurement consistent for perfect consistency.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheeses to prevent separation and ensure a velvety, uniform cheese distribution.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Maintain low heat while simmering grits to avoid scorching and achieve a tender, creamy result without burning.
• Salt Strategic Layer: Taste and season gradually, understanding that cheeses contribute additional saltiness, allowing for precise flavor balancing.

Storing and Warming Up Creamy Cheese Grits

• Refrigerate: Store leftover grits in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat on Stovetop: Restore creamy texture by adding a splash of milk or water. Warm over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Break up any solidified sections with a whisk.
• Microwave Method: Sprinkle a few tablespoons of milk over the grits. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through and smooth. Use medium power to maintain the best consistency.

Best Mains and Sides to Serve with Creamy Cheese Grits

• Sizzle with Southern Fried Chicken: Pair these creamy grits with crispy, golden-brown fried chicken for a classic Southern comfort food combination that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Elevate with Smoky Bacon and Eggs: Top the grits with crumbled crispy bacon and a perfectly fried egg for a hearty breakfast or brunch that brings incredible depth of flavor and texture.
• Match with Robust Red Wine: A full-bodied Zinfandel or Syrah complements the rich, cheesy grits, cutting through the creaminess and adding a sophisticated wine-pairing experience to your meal.
• Complement with Roasted Shrimp: Add some succulent, herb-seasoned roasted shrimp on top of the grits for a coastal-inspired dish that balances the creamy base with light, fresh seafood flavors.

New Takes on Creamy Cheese Grits You’ll Want to Try

• Southern Comfort Upgrade: Transform the classic recipe by adding crispy bacon bits and caramelized onions, creating a heartier southern-style version that brings extra richness and depth to the dish.
• Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Incorporate diced fresh jalapeños and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to give the creamy grits a zesty, spicy dimension that awakens the taste buds with a warm heat.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Blend in crumbled feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and a touch of fresh basil to introduce a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile that elevates the traditional grits recipe with bright, tangy notes.
• Smoky Seafood Edition: Fold in some sautéed shrimp or crab meat with a dash of smoked paprika, turning the grits into a coastal-inspired dish that captures the essence of southern coastal cuisine with a luxurious seafood twist.

Creamy Cheese Grits Recipe

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4.9 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets culinary elegance in these creamy cheese grits, a delightful dish combining stone-ground corn, sharp cheddar, and rich cream. Smooth, cheesy, and utterly irresistible, you’ll savor each comforting spoonful of this classic Southern staple.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ¾ cup quick grits
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, room temperature
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, room temperature

Liquids:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup half and half

Seasonings and Finishing:

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the liquid foundation by combining water, half and half, and salt in a medium pot, heating until the mixture reaches a vigorous boil and salt completely dissolves.
2. Slowly introduce quick grits into the bubbling liquid, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and maintain a silky smooth texture.
3. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing the grits to cook for 5-7 minutes. Stir intermittently to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking throughout.
4. Remove the pot from heat once grits reach a tender consistency. Incorporate cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, then fold in butter until the mixture transforms into a luxurious, velvety concoction.
5. Enhance the flavor profile by seasoning with freshly ground pepper, tasting carefully and adjusting salt levels as the cheeses contribute natural saltiness.
6. Transfer the creamy grits to serving dishes immediately, recognizing that the mixture will gradually thicken as it cools. For optimal texture, enjoy while still warm and fluid.

Notes

• Cheese varieties impact overall flavor, with sharp cheddar delivering bold taste and Parmesan adding nutty complexity.
• Liquid ratio determines grits’ creamy texture, balancing water and half-and-half for luxurious mouthfeel.
• Consistent stirring prevents scorching, ensuring smooth, lump-free Southern comfort food experience.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg