The Best Garlic Cheese Grits Recipe

There isn’t an occasion that doesn’t go by where I am not assigned to make the best garlic cheese grits casserole there ever was! I like most anybody’s grits, but I LOVE this recipe that I’ve been making since I was old enough to stand next to my grandmother to help stir. The cheesy goodness, buttery crunch of crackers, and a dash of hot sauce make this good for every holiday celebration, family meal, and especially brunch!

Make this southern side dish with ham on Christmas morning or with country ham & biscuits for a Derby party. My mom used to serve this to all guests who came to dinner from the north. She knew it would convert them to liking the best grits ever.

Garlic Cheese Grits

Yield: 8-10 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30-40 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup grits
1 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups water
1 cup butter
6-8 ounces American Cheese Slices
1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic
garlic salt to taste
2 eggs
milk
dash of Tabasco or favorite hot sauce
1 sleeve crackers
3 tablespoons melted butter

Hint: May be prepared ahead & cooked when ready. Serve it the next day. It heats up perfectly!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 casserole dish with a tablespoon of butter.
Bring water & salt to a boil in a two-quart saucepan. Slowly add grits, stirring occasionally and turning heat to medium. Stir until think.
To thickened grits, add butter and cubed cheese.
Stir in garlic. Add garlic salt to taste.
Beat eggs in a 2 cup measuring cup. Fill measuring cup to one cup with milk, mixing eggs & milk together.
Slowly pour egg mixture into grits. Stir until thoroughly combined and cheese is melted.
Pour into casserole dish. Stir a dash of hot sauce into grits.
Crush crackers and combine with melted butter in a bowl. Sprinkle over grits.
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, til edges are bubbly and crackers are brown. If crackers brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.