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    Home » Recipes » Meatless Recipes

    Modified: Dec 6, 2023 · Published: Jun 28, 2020 by Melinda O'Malley Keckler · This post may contain affiliate links · this blog generates income from ads.

    Cheesy Grits

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Cheesy Grits is the perfect blend of smooth cheese with a spicy kick. Don't be swayed by the grits in the title, this is a scrumptious addition to your next family dinner. Serve it alongside Mixed Bean Salad and with Pinto Bean Chili for a delicious meal!

    Baked cheesy chili grits in a dish.
    Piping hot right out of the oven, this is a dish of cheesy goodness.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love Cheesy Grits
    • 🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand
    • 💭Recipe FAQs
    • 📋 How to Make Cheesy Grits
    • ⭐ The Inspiration for Cheesy Grits
    • 🥗 More Sides to Enjoy
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Why You'll Love Cheesy Grits

    Grits make a great addition to your evening meal. This cheesy version of grits is a stellar example of how to make it happen.

    Grits are naturally low in fat which is an added plus. Though in full disclosure, some of the ingredients we add to grits in this recipe might not have that same description. That's OK, let's enjoy!

    Cheesy Grits are easy to make and add a great spicy kick to any meal. If your friends and family are fans of spice, be sure to serve Cranberry Jalapeno Meatballs as an appetizer before dinner.

    Cubed cheese and garlic on a plate.
    Velveeta cheese and garlic, now there's a creamy, yummy combination.

    🥘 Ingredients to Have on Hand

    • quick cooking grits
    • Velveeta cheese
    • canned jalapeños
    • garlic
    • eggs
    • milk

    Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Diced jalapeno peppers in a small bowl.
    You control the heat factor, based on how many diced jalapeños you use. In my family, we like things with plenty of kick.

    💭Recipe FAQs

    Can I leave the jalapeños out of the recipe?

    For sure and it's still delicious. So that's an option, especially if you have little ones in the house who may not like all that heat from the jalapeños.

    Do I need to use Velveeta Cheese?

    For this particular recipe and to get the same creamy, cheesy results, yes. I recommend using Velveeta.

    Eggs, grits and milk.
    As recipes go, this one is easy to prepare and most of the ingredients are basic staples.

    If this recipe has you thinking of how delicious cheesy entrees can be, you'll want to make Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese and Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel and Velveeta. Both are tasty and very, very cheesy recipes.

    Grits cooking on the stove.

    📋 How to Make Cheesy Grits

    Cheesy Grits are incredibly easy to make, one of the many reasons why I like to make this recipe often.

    Place water, grits and salt in a large saucepan on the stove and cook over medium-high heat until thickened.

    Stir frequently to prevent burning.

    Add garlic, cubed cheese and jalapeño. Stir until the cheese is melted.

    Whisk the eggs and milk in a separate cup or small bowl and then stir a small amount of the hot grits and cheese in with the eggs.

    Pro Tip: Whisking the eggs and milk separately from the hot grits in the pan on the stove keeps the eggs from cooking too quickly, and unintentionally creating scrambled eggs.

    Cheesy grits ready for the oven.
    Headed for the oven. See the little specs of jalapeño peeking through the cheesy grits?

    Pour all contents from the bowl/cup into the pan with the remaining grits and cheese. Stir to combine then pour into a baking dish. Bake for about an hour or until golden brown on top,. ,

    ⭐ The Inspiration for Cheesy Grits

    This recipe was shared by Major General Niles Fulwyler in 2005. To us he was always "Uncle June" and my son's godfather.

    He was a great entertainer and lived for many years in New Mexico and later in Idaho. This was one of his favorite recipes and it originated from the San Augustin Ranch. 

    🥗 More Sides to Enjoy

    Whether it's a holiday meal or a busy weeknight, a made-from-scratch side dish is always appreciated. Here are some of my other favorite sides. Dig in!

    • Elegant Green Bean Casserole a whole new spin on a family favorite
    • Zucchini Stuffing is a savory, veggie-infused side dish
    • Pasta salad with Italian dressing in a bowl with a fork.
      Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
    • Close-up of spiced walnuts roasted with cinnamon and sugar in a jar.
      Spiced Walnuts
    • Yukon gold mashed potatoes in a bowl.
      Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Baked beans, franks and pineapple pieces in a baking dish with a spoon.
      Easy Franks and Beans

    If you tried Cheesy Grits or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below.

    Recipe

    Baked cheesy chili grits in a dish.

    Cheesy Grits

    Cheesy Grits is a comforting and creamy side dish that offers the perfect blend of smooth cheese with a spicy kick. Don't be swayed by the grits in the title, this is a scrumptious take on a New Mexico classic.
    4.99 from 78 votes
    Print Rate Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 8 people, as a side dish
    Calories: 220kcal
    Author: Melinda O'Malley Keckler

    Ingredients 

    • 4 cups water
    • 1 cup grits - quick cooking grits work best
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 clove garlic - mined
    • 1 lb Velveeta Cheese - cubed
    • 2 tablespoons pickled or canned jalapeño
    • 2 eggs
    • ¼ cup milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°
    • Place water, grits and salt in a large saucepan on the stove and cook over medium high heat until thickened. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Add garlic, cubed cheese and jalapeño. Stir until the cheese is melted.
    • In a small bowl or measuring cup, beat two eggs and ¼ cup milk. Add a few tablespoons of the hot grit mixture to the eggs and milk and mix to combine. Pour all contents from the bowl/cup into the pan with the remaining grits and cheese. Stir to combine.
    • Pour grits mixture into a greased casserole dish and bake for about an hour or until the top is slightly browned and the center is raised and set.

    Notes

    For added spicy kick, sometimes I sprinkle a few dashes of hot sauce in with the jalapeños. Serve Cheesy Grits with English Pea Salad for a wonderful combination of flavors and texture. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 14gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1257mgPotassium: 252mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 713IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 344mgIron: 1mg

    Please note, the nutrition details are estimated using a food database. The data above is a rough estimate, not an exact science.

    Did you try this recipe? Leave a comment below or @crinkledcookbook on Instagram, snap a photo and tag it #crinkledcookbook

    More Family-Favorite Meatless Recipes

    • Homemade pico de gallo in a bowl with lime.
      Pico de Gallo with Jalapeño and Lime
    • Pasta topped with white clam sauce on a plate.
      Easy White Clam Sauce
    • Apple and cranberry stuffing.
      Cranberry Apple Stuffing (Baked)
    • A bowl of pickle salsa with a tortilla chip on top.
      Pickle de Gallo Recipe

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