Sausage Cheese Grits Casserole

An excellent recipe for brunch, which keeps well and heats up in the microwave.  Loved by Yankees from Pennsylvania to Connecticut.   Or maybe they were just being polite?

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dry regular or quick grits
  • 1 pound sausage (breakfast style)
  • 1 small/medium onion, chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • optional: chopped bell pepper or serrano chilis
  • 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 tablespoons butter or margerine
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • cayenne pepper, to taste
  • salt, to taste

Method

  1. Cook grits according to package directions.
  2. Brown sausage with onions and celery (may also add bell peppers or serrano chilis to this).  Drain fat on paper towels.
  3. Remove grits from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cup grated cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for top of casserole).  Stir in butter until melted.  Add eggs, milk, and sausage mixture; blend well by hand.  Stir in cayenne pepper and salt, to taste.
  4. Pour mixture into a 3-quart casserole dish coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  5. Bake, uncovered, for one hour or until cheese is golden brown at 350° F.  Allow to stand ten minutes before serving.

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