Cheese Grits Casserole

Name: Cheese Grits Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 8-10
Ingredients: 1 tsp. salt; 4 1/2 cups water (Or milk); 1 cup hominy grits; 1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine (or butter) + 2 Tbsp; 1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese; 2 cloves garlic (crushed or diced); 2 eggs; 2/3 cup milk; dash of tabasco sauce; 2 cups corn flakes (crushed)

So simply satisfying. And less than a dollar a portion! I found this recipe for Cheese Grits Casserole in the San Joaquin Valley Homestyle Vittles Community Cookbook, and it is a gem.

If you’re not familiar with the San Joaquin Valley, it is in Central California, and it’s where I grew up. We have a ton of Southerners that were displaced during the dust bowl, and this casserole is a classic example of that influence.

Jackie Burnett was kind enough to share it, and it’s one of my new favorites. Perfect for a brunch, and even better reheated the next day, it’s easy, cheap, and as a bonus, meatless, which is pretty unique for a casserole. So here’s how to make it.

Start by cooking your grits in boiling salted water. 4 or 5 minutes later, they’re cooked, and you can add butter, cheese, and garlic. Give it all a good stir until the cheese is melted and mixed in thoroughly.

Set that aside while you beat eggs and milk together. Once they’re well blended, add them to the grits, along with some hot sauce, and mix everything together. Transfer that to a casserole dish, and bake for 45 minutes.

Then, it’s time to top with some crunch. Corn Flakes add a delicious crispy texture, so sprinkle them evenly on top, and toss it back in the oven for 15 minutes.

That’s it! You’re ready to enjoy cheesy, creamy, baked grits deliciousness. I would recommend letting it cool a bit. It’s easier to serve when it’s not piping hot, so let it rest for a few before slicing.

So, how much did it cost to make? For the whole casserole, it only cost $5.75. That’s 72 cents a portion! And it’s a main dish! Add some fresh fruit and you have a lovely brunch for 8 people on the table for less than $10. It’s tough to get cheaper than that.

I’m celebrating America’s most humble dish by appreciating why casseroles were so valuable to vintage cooks, and how they should still have a place in modern tables, so be sure to check out the other recipes in this series below. I can’t thank Jackie enough for sharing her delicious recipe. I’m so honored to share it with you, and I hope it inspires you to save more spiral bound community cookbooks, and cook more old recipes.

KITCHENWARE USED IN THIS RECIPE

VINTAGE PYREX

Homestead from the 1970’s

STAUB MULTI TOOL

The most useful kitchen tool you’ll ever buy!

WHY I LOVE IT

VINTAGE DEPRESSION GLASS

Macbeth Evans Petalware

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Cheese Grits Casserole

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Author:

Jackie Burnett In the San Joaquin Valley Homestyle Vittles community cookbook

Servings

8-10

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

1 hour

A meatless cheesy casserole that is delicious, cheap, and satisfying. Everything a great casserole should be!

Cook Mode

Ingredients

1 tsp. salt
4 1/2 cups water (Or milk)
1 cup hominy grits
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine (or butter) + 2 Tbsp
1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese
2 cloves garlic (crushed or diced)
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
dash of tabasco sauce
2 cups corn flakes (crushed)

Directions

Add salt to water, bring to rolling boil.
Slowly add grits and continue to boil 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, add 1 cube margarine, cheese, garlic. Stir til melted.
Beat eggs, stir in milk, add to grits mixture. Add tabasco sauce, mix, and pour in 2 1/2 quart casserole. Bake 45 minutes in 350° oven.
Melt 2 Tablespoons butter and toss with corn flakes. Add corn flakes on top. Continue to bake 15 minutes more.

Recipe Video

Recipe Note

“Good if you like grits.” - Jackie

✨Please note✨

The instructions above are as they appear in the cookbook. I try to make notes when something is unclear, an error, or missing altogether, but for the most part I leave it as is. That said, community cookbooks are, by their nature, often very brief in their instructions, so if you have any questions or need clarification, the video of me making it, should clear things up. Otherwise, drop me a comment below. I’m happy to help, and love hearing from you!

Enjoy this authentically homemade recipe, and thank you for appreciating it enough to give it a new life!

Cheers,

Ash Starling

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Bride’s Pride Casserole

A surprisingly fresh casserole with Asian flavors, packed with veggies.
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Sea Shell Casserole

A meaty, delicious pasta casserole the whole family will love.
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