Cracked Out Grits Casserole – cheddar, bacon, and ranch – SO addictive!!! We love this casserole for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Grits, chicken broth, milk, eggs, Velveeta, bacon, Ranch, cheddar cheese. Can make ahead and refrigerate or freeze for later. This always gets RAVE reviews! SO good!!!
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Pin This RecipeCheddar Bacon Ranch Grits Casserole
Breakfast for dinner is a favorite in our house. We had this Cracked Out Grits Casserole last week and it was a HUGE hit! OMG! SO good! Grits loaded with cheese, bacon and Ranch. Seriously AMAZING! Now, I’m not a fan of plain grits, but I LOVE this cheesy bacon grits casserole. We served the casserole with some biscuits and fresh fruit. Easy and delicious!
How to Make Cracked Out Grits Casserole
This casserole is super easy to make. Cook the bacon and chop. Set aside. In a large saucepan, add chicken stock, and Ranch dressing mix; bring to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce and cook until the grits have thickened. Remove from heat.Add Velveeta cheese and butter; stir until melted. Stir in milk. Slowly stir in eggs until blended. Stir in half of cooked bacon. Pour the grits into a baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese and the remaining bacon and cook.
- I used quick-cook grits NOT instant grits.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- Can substitute turkey bacon for the pork bacon.
- You can substitute a cup of precooked chopped bacon for the pound of fresh bacon. I love using precooked bacon! It is such a timesaver!
- This Cracked Out Grits Casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight or even frozen. I like to split the casserole into two 8×8-inch pans and freeze one for later. I love having quick meals in the freezer!
What to Serve with Cracked Out Grits Casserole
This casserole is great for a potluck and overnight guests. It always gets rave reviews! We usually serve this dish with some fruit and biscuits. Here are a few of our favorite recipes from the blog that go great with these baked cheese grits:
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Cracked Out Grits Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 pound bacon
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 Tbsp ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups quick-cooking grits
- 12- ounces Velveeta, cubed
- ½ cup butter, cubed
- ½ cup milk
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove pan from heat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels and chop.
- In a large saucepan, add chicken stock, and Ranch dressing mix; bring to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Add Velveeta cheese and butter; stir until melted. Stir in milk. Slowly stir in eggs until blended. Stir in half of cooked bacon.
- Transfer grits to prepared dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and remaining bacon.
- Bake, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes.
Notes:
- I used quick-cook grits NOT instant grits.
- Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix: https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
- Can substitute turkey bacon for the pork bacon.
- You can substitute a cup of precooked chopped bacon for the pound of fresh bacon. I love using precooked bacon! It is such a timesaver!
- This Cracked Out Grits Casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated overnight or even frozen. I like to split the casserole into two 8×8-inch pans and freeze one for later. I love having quick meals in the freezer!
Steph
Remember this recipe.
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Wondering what I could substitute for the Velveeta. Cream cheese?
any changes and substitutions to the recipe would be up to you
Could you cook this overnight in a crockpot?
I haven’t tried that, so I can not say.
What about using a slow cooker?
I have made this several times and it is great. Thanks for sharing
I made this tonight for breakfast this week and it’s pretty good! I will probably use water instead of chicken broth next time but that is just a personal preference for me.
Good recipe and will help me A LOT for breakfast in the mornings. Will definitely try the Mississippi Hash Brown casserole next week! 😍
Can I prepare this 2 days ahead without cooking or freezing first?
I think that would be fine.
Not a big egg fan. Do have to use the eggs?
In this recipe, yes
Can I use Kraft Shredded Cheese Blend With a Touch of Philadelphia instead of the 12-ounces Velveeta, cubed?
Well "Kiss My Grits" …These are fantastic. I subbed andouille sausage for the bacon. Brought in for office pre-Thanksgiving party — Huge Success!
So glad it was a hit!
I only have access to cornmeal, can I use this in this recipe?
Cornmeal isn't a substitute for grits. It won't be the same.
Can I put it all together the night before and bake it in the morning?
Yes – enjoy!
Could I make this the night before and put it in the oven in the morning?
Do you use the same large pan using the bacon grease or is there a second pan without the grease?
I didn't use the bacon grease in the recipe. I used a different pan.
Do you freeze this already cooked?
You can. I always freeze it unbaked.
I'd be all over this! Great one, Steph!
I love grits casseroles and this one sounds delicious.
is there some reason you only use quick cooking grits? can I just use regular and cook longer?
That is a good question, can you help us out Steph?