Name: Make-Ahead Sausage and Grits Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 1 cup quick grits (not instant); 4 cups water; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated; 2 pounds ground pork sausage; 7 eggs; 1 cup milk; 2 tsp ground thyme; 2 tsp garlic powder

Description

This Make-Ahead Sausage and Grits Casserole is a hearty and comforting breakfast dish combining creamy sharp cheddar grits with savory browned sausage baked to golden perfection. It’s easy to prepare ahead of time, making it perfect for busy mornings or brunch gatherings with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Grits

1 cup quick grits (not instant)
4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Sausage and Egg Mixture

2 pounds ground pork sausage
7 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tsp ground thyme
2 tsp garlic powder

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
Cook Sausage: Place the ground pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Break it up with a fork or potato masher into small pieces as it cooks. Cook for about 10 minutes, until fully cooked and just starting to brown. Drain the fat and set the sausage aside on paper towels.
Cook Grits: While sausage cooks, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the grits and salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 7 minutes, stirring often to avoid lumps. Once cooked, stir in the grated cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
Prepare Egg Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, ground thyme, and garlic powder until blended.
Combine and Assemble: Mix the cooked sausage into the cheesy grits, then add the egg mixture and stir everything together thoroughly. Pour the combined mixture into a 9×13 inch ovenproof baking dish. At this stage, you can cover and refrigerate the casserole for up to 24 hours if making ahead.
Bake: When ready, bake the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven for 60 minutes until set and lightly golden on top. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

If preparing ahead, refrigerate the assembled casserole for up to 24 hours before baking.
Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor impact.
Stir grits frequently while simmering to prevent lumps and sticking.
Drain excess sausage fat to avoid greasy casserole.
This dish serves well for brunch or a hearty breakfast for a crowd.