Best 7 Baked Grits And Collards Casserole Recipes

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Indulge in the Southern comfort food classic of Baked Grits and Collards Casserole, a harmonious blend of creamy grits, tender collard greens, and a medley of flavorful ingredients. This hearty casserole features a creamy base of slow-cooked grits, adding a smooth and velvety texture to the dish. Collard greens, known for their slightly bitter yet earthy flavor, are braised until tender and infused with savory seasonings, creating a delightful contrast to the creamy grits. The addition of bacon, onion, and garlic adds a savory depth of flavor to the casserole, while sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese provide a gooey, golden-brown crust. With its combination of textures and flavors, Baked Grits and Collards Casserole is a satisfying dish that is perfect for a comforting meal or as a side dish for special occasions. Additionally, the article includes a variation of the classic recipe using fresh kale instead of collard greens, providing an alternative for those who prefer a milder flavor. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions to guide you through the cooking process, ensuring a delicious and satisfying outcome.

Let's cook with our recipes!

SOUTHERN GRITS AND GREENS CASSEROLE



Southern Grits And Greens Casserole image

Provided by Melissa

Categories     brunch     Main Course     Side Dish

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 16 oz frozen collard greens
1 tsp salt (for greens)
6 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cups half and half
1 Tbsp garlic salt (adjust to taste)
2 cups quick cooking grits (not instant)
1 8 oz container garden vegetable spreadable cream cheese (softened)
2 cups shredded Swiss or sharp white cheddar cheese (divided)
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided)
1/2 lb bacon (cooked and crumbled, reserve 1 Tbsp drippings)
1 medium sweet onion (diced)
2 tsp hot sauce (adjust more or less to taste)
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp butter (divided)
3 green onion (thinly sliced)

Steps:

  • In a medium-size pot, cook collard greens in water (amount called for on package) and 1 tsp salt. Cook for 15 minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess moisture.
  • Meanwhile, in a large heavy bottomed pot bring chicken broth, half and half and garlic salt to a boil. Whisking constantly add grits in a single stream. Lower heat to medium-low and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 20-25 minutes or until creamy. May add more broth or half and half to thin, if needed.
  • After frying bacon, remove to paper towels and crumble. Cook onion in 1 Tbsp drippings until softened, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove grits from heat, add cream cheese and 2 Tbsp butter. Stir until fully melted. To the grits add greens, 1 cup shredded cheese, 1/2 Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cooked bacon, hot sauce and black pepper. Mix until fully combined.
  • To bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 13 x 9 inch baking dish using 1 Tbsp butter or spray with cooking spray. Pour grits and greens into the dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese, Parmesan cheese and bacon. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is lightly golden. May broil to brown further, if desired.
  • Let stand 5 minutes, garnish with green onion and serve with additional hot sauce on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Carbohydrate 28 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 29 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 74 mg, Sodium 1352 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, Calories 440 kcal, UnsaturatedFat 10 g

GRITS AND GREENS CASSEROLE



Grits and Greens Casserole image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the baking dish
2 cups half-and-half
8 cups chicken stock
2 cups grits, such as Quaker Old Fashioned
6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
1 medium sweet onion, such as Vidalia, finely chopped
One 16-ounce package frozen collard greens, thawed
1 3/4 cups grated Parmesan (6 ounces)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the half-and-half and 6 cups of the chicken stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once up to a boil, stir in the grits. Bring it back up to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture has slightly thickened (it should resemble cooked oatmeal in thickness), 10 to 15 minutes. Use a whisk to break up any lumps that have formed.
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until just turning crispy, about 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel, patting it to remove any excess fat. Using the same saucepan, add the onions to the leftover bacon drippings and saute until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Then add the collard greens and the remaining 2 cups chicken stock and cook until tender, another 10 minutes. Drain the collards and onions in a colander.
  • Once the grits are done, add the Parmesan, butter, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the Monterey jack. Stir until the butter has melted and all the ingredients are well combined. Then add the drained collards mixture and stir.
  • Transfer the grits mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the crumbled bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup Monterey jack. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

GARLIC GRITS CASSEROLE



Garlic Grits Casserole image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup quick-cooking grits
4 1/2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon salt
10 ounces herb-and-garlic cheese, such as Boursin
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) salted butter
2 medium eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon salted butter, melted
1 cup crushed cornflakes

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-12-by-2-inch casserole dish.
  • Cook the grits in the boiling water with the salt until thickened, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese and butter to the hot grits and stir until melted and incorporated. Beat the eggs and add the milk to the beaten eggs. Slowly stir the egg mixture into the grits. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Pour the melted butter over the cornflakes and stir to distribute the butter. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the grits. Bake for 45 minutes.

GRITS AND GREENS CASSEROLE



Grits and Greens Casserole image

The robustness of this casserole makes it a wonderful addition to any meal. This is the ultimate Southern dish everyone needs to try at least once. These creamy, rich grits will convert anyone into a grits lover. Thick and creamy, they're cooked with half and half and two types of cheese which makes them savory. Cooking the...

Provided by Debbie W

Categories     Side Casseroles

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 medium onion, chopped
6 or 7 pieces of bacon
2 c grits (quick cook, just not instant)
12-16 oz bag of frozen greens - your choice, i like collards or spinach
1 stick butter
1 c grated Parmesan cheese
2 c monterey jack cheese (reserve a little for topping)
salt and pepper, to taste
6 c chicken broth
2 c half and half

Steps:

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350.
  • 2. Dice bacon and cook in a medium skillet until it is nice and crisp. Drain bacon on a paper towel and set it aside.
  • 3. In the same skillet as the bacon was cooked, pour most of the bacon grease out leaving about a Tablespoon. Dice the onion and cook it in the reserved bacon grease until the onion is translucent and set aside.
  • 4. In a large pot combine 1/2 and 1/2 and 6 cups of chicken broth. Bring to a boil, stir in grits, bring back to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to simmer. Stir often to keep from burning. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. You want normal grits consistency. I use a whisk to get the lumps out.
  • 5. While grits are cooking, cook greens. Cook approx 10 min or until tender. If I use spinach, I cook them in the microwave in the steamer bag. Drain and squeeze out all the liquid.
  • 6. Add butter, both kinds of cheese, onion, and salt and pepper to the grits. When butter is melted, stir in the greens.
  • 7. Pour mixture in a greased 13x9 dish. Top with crumbled bacon and a little reserved cheese.
  • 8. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.

BRAISED COLLARD GREENS ON GRITS CAKES



Braised Collard Greens on Grits Cakes image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 4h30m

Yield approximately 40 hors d'ouevres

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 cups low-sodium canned vegetable broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup instant white grits
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack
Instant flour, for dredging (recommended: Wondra)
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cups Smoked Turkey Stock, recipe follows
1 large bunch collard greens, stemmed and chopped
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
1 pound smoked turkey wings
1 large onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 large carrot, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 rib celery, sliced into 1-inch pieces
10 black peppercorns, ground
1 tablespoon hot red pepper sauce

Steps:

  • Butter a half-sheet pan (about 12 by 17 inches), line it with parchment paper, and butter the parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Bring the broth, salt, white pepper, and cayenne to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. With broth mixture at a boil, gradually pour in the grits, while whisking constantly. After the grits are incorporated, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring constantly, until the grits are thick, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Spread the grits in an even layer about 1/2-inch thick in the prepared pan and refrigerate until set and firm, at least 1 hour.
  • Bring the smoked turkey stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the greens and adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until greens are tender and liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour. Remove from heat and add the cider vinegar. Keep warm while frying the grits cakes.
  • When the grits are set and firm, turn the grits out onto a clean cutting board. Using a 1 1/2-inch round or square cutter, cut the grits into small cakes. Put some instant flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge the cakes in the seasoned flour. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and fry the cakes, in batches, until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Top each grits cake with some of the braised greens and serve.
  • Copyright 2005 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved.
  • Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add all the ingredients, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour. Strain the broth into a large bowl or plastic container. If not using immediately, fill the sink up with ice water to come about halfway up the sides of the container. Nestle the broth in the ice bath and stir it periodically to cool it down. Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Yield: approximately 2 1/2 quarts

GRITS N' GREENS CASSEROLE



Grits N' Greens Casserole image

This is a true southern dish. The grits are creamy and the collards punch up the flavor of the parmesan cheese

Provided by AYAC3237

Categories     Collard Greens

Time 1h5m

Yield 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups whipping cream or 2 cups half-and-half cream
8 cups chicken broth, divided
2 cups grits, regular
1 (16 ounce) bag collard greens, frozen
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper (to taste)
1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

Steps:

  • Grease 13 x 9 baking dish. Bring cream & 6 cups of chicken broth to a boil, stir in grits & cook over medium heat until they return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover & cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add milk if needed to cook to desire consistency (should resemble slightly runny oatmeal when finished).
  • Cook collards in remaining 2 cups of chicken broth for 10 minutes. Drain & blot dry with paper towel to remove excess water. Add butter & cheese to grits, stir until butter & cheese melt. Stir in collards. Place in casserole dish, top with crumbled bacon. Bake @ 350 degrees until lightly brown on top.

GRITS CASSEROLE



Grits Casserole image

Grits is a main ingredient for many Southern meals. I've had this recipe for years and never grow tired of it. It's especially good to serve on a lazy weekend, since leftover portions are very tasty served cold.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 1h

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound bulk pork sausage
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking grits
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup butter, softened

Steps:

  • Crumble sausage into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In a saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot grits into the eggs; return all to the saucepan, stirring constantly. Add the sausage, 1 cup cheese, milk and butter, stirring until the butter is melted. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until the top begins to brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280 calories, Fat 20g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 133mg cholesterol, Sodium 602mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

Tips

  • Use fresh, flavorful ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste of your casserole.
  • Don't overcook the grits. They should be cooked until they are tender but still have a little bit of a bite to them.
  • Use a good quality cheese. This will also make a big difference in the taste of your casserole.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors. You can add your favorite herbs, spices, or vegetables to this casserole.
  • Make sure to preheat your oven before baking the casserole. This will help it to cook evenly.
  • Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and make it easier to slice.

Conclusion

Baked grits and collards casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover grits and collards. This casserole is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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