Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits is a Southern favorite that your entire family will love! Creamy, cheesy, tangy and delicious. Make this and I promise, you’ll be a grits fan for life!
Southern Shrimp and Grits
Living in West Virginia introduced us to a more Southern style of living and I couldn’t be more grateful for the delicious meals we were able to find there.
Shrimp and grits is a classic Southern style dish. Just like pizza and Buffalo wings are to New Yorkers, ask any Southern cook for their perfect grits recipe and they’ll give you hundreds of ways to make this dish.
What are Grits?
Grits are ground up hominy – the dried corn kernel – and are loaded with fiber, iron and vitamin B. Basically it’s ground up corn; with cornmeal consistency.
Although grits have gotten a bad rap, they really are so delicious.
Cheesy Grits
My Southern girlfriends introduced me to something magical a few years ago: cheesy grits…and you all know how I love me some cheese. Cheese and Shrimp in a creamy delicious concoction? I was hooked!
That dish completely changed my views about grits. By adding cheese this dish becomes so creamy and delicious.
I bet it will change your mind about grits, too.
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits is loaded with flavor. Cheesy, savory, buttery deliciousness…and did I mention the pancetta? Yes. Pancetta.
The Easiest Shrimp and Cheesy Grits Recipe
Doesn’t this dinner look super fancy? It might look that way, but I promise you, it could not be simpler. It’s a super quick and EASY dinner (my favorite kind), so get all of your ingredients together and let’s get to it!
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
A creamy and spicy Southern tradition that your entire family will love!
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Old fashioned grits, instant grits seem to be frowned upon by real Southern cooks, so do them some justice and use the real stuff
- ½ cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 4 oz Pancetta, diced
- 1 ½ lbs Large/jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Juice of two lemons
- 1 T Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp Garlic, finely minced
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- Cajun Spice, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, boil the chicken broth over medium heat. Slowly stir in the grits and reduce heat to med/low. Cover and simmer for approximately 12 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and mix in the cheeses, stirring until melted. Cover and set aside.
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over med/high heat and add Pancetta when hot. Cook until it is a little bit crispy – about 3 minutes – remove to a paper towel and set aside.
- In the same pan, cook the shrimp for about 3 minutes, sprinkling with salt and pepper to taste. Flip the shrimp about halfway through, and cook until no longer pink.
- Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, thyme and stir. Heat through to a low simmer and remove from heat. Stir in the Pancetta and add the Cajun spice if using.
- Spoon grits onto plates or into bowls and top with shrimp mixture and more fresh thyme. Be sure to include sauce, the combination is divine! Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 servings Serving Size 1 gramsAmount Per Serving Calories 723Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 11gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 406mgSodium 3968mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 2gSugar 15gProtein 52g
Nutrition calculation is offered as a courtesy and no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. The data provided are a product of online nutrition calculators and should be considered an estimate only. I am not a registered dietician nor a certified nutritionist. For more accurate information, or if you have dietary restrictions, please consult a trusted professional. A Healthy Makeover strongly supports Intuitive Eating, body trust, and Health at Every Size.
If you enjoyed this recipe, snap a pic, share it and tag me on Instagram @ahealthymakeover – I love to see your creations!
Pin to Your Favorite Seafood or Comfort Food Board
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28 Comments
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Anonymous
My husband made this tonight, it was awesome.
bill
Tasso is an excellent alternative. It has an intense smokey flavor and adds very little fat. I keep it in my freezer for just such dishes as this.
Anonymous
I live in the South and I couldn't find anything but instant grits. xD They'll just have to do…
Jenn
Thank you so much for coming back to comment! I'm glad that you are enjoying it – messages like this make my day!
Jenn
Thank you so much for coming back to comment! I'm glad that you are enjoying it – messages like this make my day!
Pamelarose
Thankyou for this recipe. It really is divine! The sauce is awesome too. It is very easy and I have made it a few times. My husband loves it!
Pamelarose
Thankyou for this recipe. It really is divine! The sauce is awesome too. It is very easy and I have made it a few times. My husband loves it!
Anonymous
If you can get it, Tasso is a good alternative to the ham.
Mo 'Betta
Being a born and bred Southerner, coming from a long line of Southern women…grits are the BOMB 🙂 Shrimp and grits is one of my favorite dishes, and you're right, there are so many variations! Yours sounds delish!
Mo 'Betta
Being a born and bred Southerner, coming from a long line of Southern women…grits are the BOMB 🙂 Shrimp and grits is one of my favorite dishes, and you're right, there are so many variations! Yours sounds delish!
Jenn
Thank you so much for your comment, Mo! I hope it measures up to what I can only imagine would be amazing other variations 🙂
Jenn
Thank you so much for your comment, Mo! I hope it measures up to what I can only imagine would be amazing other variations 🙂
Jenn
Thanks, Terry! You are right, I did leave out the parsley, my apologies! It should be sprinkled on top before serving. The salt and pepper was in the shrimp section and should be sprinkled onto the shrimp when cooking. I have made the edits and I appreciate your feedback!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jenn
Thanks, Terry! You are right, I did leave out the parsley, my apologies! It should be sprinkled on top before serving. The salt and pepper was in the shrimp section and should be sprinkled onto the shrimp when cooking. I have made the edits and I appreciate your feedback!! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Terry
I am making this for dinner tonight and although I believe I can figure it out with no problem, for future reference the directions do not mention the parsley, salt or pepper. Looking forward to what sounds like a really yummy meal!
Terry
I am making this for dinner tonight and although I believe I can figure it out with no problem, for future reference the directions do not mention the parsley, salt or pepper. Looking forward to what sounds like a really yummy meal!
Terry
Making this tonight and although I believe it is not a big deal….thought I'd mention that the parsley, salt and pepper are not mentioned in the directions. Looking forward to what sounds like a yummy meal.
Terry
Making this tonight and although I believe it is not a big deal….thought I'd mention that the parsley, salt and pepper are not mentioned in the directions. Looking forward to what sounds like a yummy meal.
Jenn
You could absolutely use bacon!! And it doesn't add that many more cals! Hope your BF (and you!) enjoy it!
Jenn
You could absolutely use bacon!! And it doesn't add that many more cals! Hope your BF (and you!) enjoy it!
Anonymous
LOL I just posted this to my boyfriend stating that we could switch the ham for turkey bacon and then I read the other comment about the bacon. Glad I came across this post. My fiance will be stoked!
Anonymous
LOL I just posted this to my boyfriend stating that we could switch the ham for turkey bacon and then I read the other comment about the bacon. Glad I came across this post. My fiance will be stoked!
Anonymous
Sounds awesome! We use bacon instead of ham sometimes for a treat.
Anonymous
Sounds awesome! We use bacon instead of ham sometimes for a treat.