Baked Rotel Tomato Cheese Grits

Baked Rotel Tomato Cheese Grits – quick side dish recipe that is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Super easy to make and ready in 40 minutes. Grits, cheese, butter, eggs, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles – these grits are to-die-for! If you’ve never tried grits, this is the recipe to make you fall in love with them! Can make in advance & refrigerate overnight or freeze.

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Easy Tomato Grits Casserole

Grits are relatively new food for me. I didn’t eat them as a kid because they always looked gross and watery. A few years ago, I went to a restaurant and they served an amazing pork tenderloin over cheese grits. I wasn’t sure about the grits, but I ordered the dish. OMG! It changed my life! It made me fall in love with cheesy grits. In case you aren’t familiar with grits, they are similar to polenta. They are just made from different types of corn and milled to different textures. SO, if you like polenta, you will probably like grits.

How to Make Rotel Cheese Grits

These cheesy tomato grits are super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil over medium high heat. Stir in quick cook grits and reduce to medium heat. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in cheddar cheese, Velveeta cheese, butter, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Add a little of the hot grits mixture to some lightly beans eggs. (This helps warm up the eggs so they don’t scramble when you add them to the hot grits.) Stir the warmed eggs into the grits mixture and transfer to a casserole dish and bake.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I used quick-cook grits. Feel free to substitute regular or stone-ground grits. Follow the directions on the package to cook the grits.
• Variations/Additions:
  • green onions
  • bell peppers
  • bacon 
  • sausage
• Can grits casserole be made ahead? Yes! You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate up to two days.
• Can grits casserole be frozen? Yes! You can freeze the baked casserole for a quick side dish later. Bake the casserole and let it cool. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze. To reheat after freezing, partially thaw. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes.
• I use cheddar cheese, but you can substitute any cheese you prefer. Gruyere or gouda would be yummy.
• Store leftovers in an airtight containerhttps://www.target.com/p/rubbermaid-10pc-brilliance-leak-proof-food-storage-containers-with-airtight-lids/-/A-51097873 in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in the microwave.

What to Serve with Cheese Grits Casserole

When it comes to serving cheesy Rotel grits, you’re in for a comfort food experience that deserves the perfect accompaniments. The creamy and cheesy goodness of spicy tomato grits pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes. For a Southern-inspired feast, consider serving them alongside grilled BBQ chicken or smoky pulled pork – the grits provide a creamy contrast to the rich and savory meats. Seafood lovers can delight in the combination of cheesy grits with Cajun-style shrimp for a fusion of flavors. And let’s not forget brunch; they make a fantastic side dish to accompany a quiche or a hearty breakfast casserole. Whether it’s a comforting dinner or a delightful brunch, cheesy Rotel grits offer a versatile and delicious foundation for a meal that’s bound to satisfy your cravings.

Looking for more ways to serve these creamy grits? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

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Recipe Print Recipe

Baked Rotel Tomato Cheese Grits

Author: Plain Chicken

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Baked Rotel Tomato Cheese Grits – quick side dish recipe that is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Super easy to make and ready in 40 minutes. Grits, cheese, butter, eggs, and Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles – these grits are to-die-for! If you've never tried grits, this is the recipe to make you fall in love with them! Can make in advance & refrigerate overnight or freeze.

Equipment:

• 9-inch Square Baking Dish

Ingredients:

• 3¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking grits, not instant
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 4- oz Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 Tbsp butter
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies undrained
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Bring chicken broth and salt to boil in medium saucepan on medium-high heat. Add grits, stirring constantly until blended. Cook on low heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• Stir in ½ cup cheddar cheese, Velveeta, butter, garlic powder and Rotel; stir until cheeses are melted. Set aside.
• Beat eggs lightly in small bowl. Add small amount of hot grits mixture to eggs; mix well. Gradually add egg mixture to remaining hot grits mixture, stirring constantly until blended.
• Pour grits into greased 8-inch square baking dish. Bake 30 minutes; sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Bake and additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Notes:

I used quick-cook grits. Feel free to substitute regular or stone-ground grits. Follow the directions on the package to cook the grits.

You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate up to two days.

You can freeze the baked casserole for a quick side dish later. Bake the casserole and let it cool. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze. To reheat after freezing, partially thaw. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350ºF for 30 to 40 minutes.

Feel free to add in some bacon, sausage, or ham to turn this into a main dish.

I used cheddar cheese, but you can substitute any cheese you prefer. Gruyere, pepper jack or gouda would be yummy.

Plain Chicken

https://www.plainchicken.com/baked-rotel-cheese-grits/

All images and text © Plain Chicken, Inc.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @plainchicken or tag #plainchicken!

Steph