Easy Cheesy – Grits Souffle

It’s easy….it’s cheesy…..and it is soooo good!  It’s Cheesy Grits Souffle 🙂And as a bonus, it is gluten free too!  This is great for breakfast on it’s own, good for lunch with a small salad, and the perfect side dish for dinner.
This dish can be made in individual ramekins, or baked in a large casserole dish.

You may be asking yourself “What are grits?”.  Grits are basically a type of cornmeal similar to what the Italians call polenta.  Grits are a classically Southern dish.  This souffle recipe came from The Barksdale-Isom House, a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Oxford, Mississippi.  These were a part of their breakfast fare for their guests and were always a favorite.

Depending on the brand, grits can be called “Quick Grits”, “Instant Grits”, or “Hominy Grits”.  These are basically the same thing and any of these will work for making this Cheesy Grits Souffle.  When you are looking for them in the market you will find them on the cereal aisle with other hot cereals like Cream of Wheat.

If you’ve never had grits like this….well, then you’ve never really had grits. Try these soon.  We think you’ll be really glad you did.  Simple food that is easy to make and delicious to eat, that can only add to lives filled with love, joy and real abundance 🙂

Cheesy Grits Souffle

3 cups water
1 cup grits
2 teaspoons salt
3  cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
3/4 cup of half and half
1/2 cup butter
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1-2 teaspoons of hot pepper sauce (we like Tabasco Chipotle)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 – 1 pound cooked sausage, or crumbled bacon, or diced ham
1 bunch green onions, diced

Bring water and salt to a rapid boil.  Slowly add the grits and stir to mix.  Reduce the heat and cover.  Cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until grits are thick and the consistency of hot cereal.

Add butter and stir to melt and combine in the cooked grits.  Stir in the 2 cups of the cheese.  Beat eggs with the half and half and add garlic powder, hot sauce, and pepper.  Add egg mixture to grits.  Stir in the sausage, bacon or ham, or a combination of these.  Add green onions and stir to combine.  Spoon into buttered ramekins or casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of grated cheese.  Bake in a 375 degree oven, 30-40 minutes for individual ramekins and 45 minutes – 1 hour for a casserole dish.  Cheese on top will be golden brown.

You can combine everything and spoon into baking dishes and refrigerate overnight.  Allow an extra 5 minutes baking time if grits have been refrigerated before they are baked.