Classic Shrimp and Grits with Creamy Cheese Sauce
A comforting Southern American dinner featuring succulent shrimp sautéed with garlic and spices, served over creamy cheese-infused grits for a rich and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Check ingredients as you go.
- Shrimp and Sauce
- Grits
- Cheese Sauce
- Garnish
Let’s make it
Grits
Bring chicken broth and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the stone-ground grits. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy, about 20-25 minutes.
Shrimp and Sauce
While grits cook, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Shrimp and Sauce
Add shrimp to the skillet and season with smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook until shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cheese Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add cream cheese and half-and-half, whisking constantly until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in grated sharp cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
Grits
Once grits are cooked and creamy, remove from heat and stir in cheese sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
To serve, spoon creamy cheese grits onto plates, top with sautéed shrimp. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped parsley if desired.
Tips & notes
Use stone-ground grits for the creamiest texture. Stir frequently while cooking grits to prevent lumps and sticking. Adjust spices on shrimp to your heat preference, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Saving it for later
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours. Consume within 3 days. Cheese sauce may thicken upon cooling; stir gently when reheating. Do not freeze as texture may degrade.
Reheating
Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of water or half-and-half to loosen the grits and cheese sauce. Reheat shrimp separately in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes, to avoid overcooking.
