Shake up your breakfast routine by making these Cheesy Grits with Eggs! This savory Southern dish is creamy, cheesy, comforting, and SO easy to make. Grits with eggs can easily become your new breakfast go-to … give ’em a try!
These eggs and grits are the ultimate easy one-pan meal. Just simmer your grits until creamy, then nestle the eggs into the grits and bake until they’re cooked through. I love that these cheesy grits with eggs need hardly any hands-on time, and my hearty breakfast is ready before I know it!
These cheesy grits are creamy. We start with stone-ground grits for the perfect texture, and they simmer together with broth for loads of flavor. Then, we add butter, a touch of cream cheese, and cheddar for the most deliciously creamy cheesy grits.
Oh, and one great thing about these Cheesy Grits with Eggs is that they’re not just a breakfast dish! They’re hearty enough for lunch or even a simple and easy dinner (they’re perfect with a side salad or sauteed spinach).
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Hearty and rib-sticking – Eggs, grits, and cheese all deliver protein. These grits with eggs contain around 18 grams per serving, making this a great option for a protein-rich meal.
- Simple to make – All you need are six ingredients and just a few minutes hands-on time to make these eggs and grits.
- Not just for breakfast – While these Cheesy Grits with Eggs do make a great breakfast, we also love them for lunch or even dinner!
- Gluten-free and vegetarian – As long as your grits are certified gluten-free, these eggs and grits are GF! And if you use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, this dish is vegetarian, too.
What are Grits?
Grits are a dish popular in the South, made with ground dried corn. They’re are simmered with water, milk, or broth until they’re a creamy, porridge-like consistency.
Grits can be served simply with salt, pepper, and butter, or they can be more dressed up with cheese and eggs for a more savory spin (like this recipe for eggs and grits!).
Recipe Notes
This Cheesy Grits with Eggs recipe is as simple as promised! Just 6 ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Cheesy Grits with Eggs to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Grits – You’ll want stone-ground grits, which take a bit longer to cook than quicker grits, but the texture and creaminess is worth it!
- Broth – I like to use chicken broth, but you can easily use vegetable broth if that’s what you have on hand (or if you prefer a vegetarian version).
- Butter – I like to use salted butter in my cheesy grits. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, just add a little pinch of salt along with the butter.
- Cream cheese – For ultra creamy, cheesy grits.
- Cheddar cheese – I like to use shredded sharp cheddar cheese for the most intense cheddar flavor.
- Salt & pepper – Add salt and, preferably, freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
- Eggs – You’ll need four eggs for this grits with eggs recipe.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Cheesy Grits with Scrambled Eggs– Prepare the cheesy grits, then scramble up a batch of eggs in a separate pan. Serve together.
- Cheesy Grits with Fried Eggs– Cook the cheesy grits, then fry up some eggs separately. Serve the fried eggs over the top of the cheesy grits.
- Spicy Cheese Grits with Eggs– Add a fresh diced jalapeno pepper with the broth. Garnish with more sliced jalapenos and a dash of hot sauce. Especially excellent with bacon!
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Cheesy Grits with Eggs.
Bring the broth to a boil.
Add grits. Cover and simmer.
Remove the lid, then stir in the cream cheese, butter, and cheddar cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Once the grits are creamy and perfect, make four divots and crack the eggs into each one. Bake until the eggs are cooked through.
Recipe Tips
- Stick with stone-ground grits – Make sure you choose stone-ground over 5-minute grits or another quick-cooking grit. Stone-ground simmer low and slow for the best creamy grits.
- Whisk the grits – Add the grits to the boiling broth in a slow, steady stream, whisking well as you add them. This will help prevent lumps.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Cook the eggs separately – Skip the oven step and instead cook the eggs separately to save some time. Just fry, scramble, or poach the eggs in a separate pan, and serve alongside or on top of the cheesy grits.
- Meal prep it – Prepare your grits ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze the grits. Then, just warm the grits (adding a bit more liquid to thin them back out), then add the eggs and bake.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Cheesy Grits with Eggs recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Cheesy Grits After Cooking
- Cook up your grits according to the recipe, then let them cool.
- Transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and label.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Warm in a castiron pan or oven-safe skillet until steaming. Add a splash of broth, water, or milk to loosen them back up.
- Add the eggs and bake as directed.
What to Serve with Cheesy Grits with Eggs
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of Southern cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite Southern-inspired and classic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded meal. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- For breakfast, serve eggs and grits with Crispy Bacon in the Oven, Summer Fruit Salad and Ice Cream Cinnamon Rolls
- For lunch or supper, try pairing Cheesy Grits with Eggs with Sauteed Spinach, Instant Pot Corn on the Cob, and Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread
Cheesy Grits with Eggs Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Fried Cheesy Grits– Spread leftover grits on a baking sheet or in a large storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cut into squares or cubes and fry in olive oil until golden.
- Rotel Cheesy Grits– Warm leftover grits in a pot with a spoonful or two of Rotel tomatoes. Top with shredded cheddar.
Recipe FAQ’s
What’s the best cheese to put in grits?
Popular choices include sharp cheddar cheese, white cheddar, or Parmesan cheese.
Are grits a healthy breakfast?
If you’re looking for a breakfast that balances carbs, fat, and protein with a bit of fiber, cheesy grits are a great choice! Add tomatoes or spinach for more fiber and micronutrients, and serve with sausage, bacon, and/or eggs for added protein.
More EASY Egg Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy breakfast recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
Cheesy Grits with Eggs
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone ground grits
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 4 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- In a large, oven safe skillet, bring the broth to a boil.
- Stir in grits, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- At the end of the 15 minutes, remove the lid, then stir in the butter, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Make a divot in the grits, and crack the egg into the hole. Repeat until all 4 eggs are nestled in the grits.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until eggs reach the desired level of doneness. Add fresh cracked pepper to the top and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Broth: You can use chicken broth or vegetable broth. Water will work, too, but will have less flavor.
- Cheddar cheese: White cheddar or Parmesan can be subbed in.
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