Whether you call it a casserole or a breakfast bake, this ham and cheese grits situation is the Southern comfort food equivalent of showing up to brunch in pearls and a messy bun. Creamy quick grits, smoky ham, sharp cheddar, and smoked gouda come together with enough glorious goodness to make your guests think you tried—even if you whipped it up in slippers with coffee in one hand and extra-strength Tylenol in the other. It’s easy, make-ahead friendly, and guaranteed to hush even the nosiest houseguest at first bite.
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🗝️ Why this bake deserves a standing ovation (or at least clean plates)
- It's wildly low effort for how impressive it tastes. No one has to know you used quick grits and pre-diced ham—just smile and take the compliments.
- Cheese. More cheese. Still not enough cheese. With sharp cheddar and smoked gouda, this thing is cheesier than your cousin's boyfriend’s proposal at Cracker Barrel.
- Feeds a crowd without feeding your anxiety. Perfect for holidays, brunches, or that one time you forgot you signed up to bring something "hearty but elegant."
🧾 Ingredients for ham and cheese grits breakfast casserole
Here’s what you’ll need to throw this glorious mess together. Nothing fancy—just good, solid ingredients with a whole lotta Southern attitude.
- Quick Grits – Because ain't nobody got time for the slow ones. Creamy and the base of all good Southern breakfast decisions.
- Diced Ham – Smoky, salty, and just the right amount of “leftovers but make it fancy.” Go big or go back to avocado toast.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – Bold, tangy, and not here to play nice. This cheese brings the bite and the drama.
- Smoked Gouda Cheese – Smooth, smoky, and sophisticated—like your favorite aunt who drinks bourbon and tells it like it is.
- Chicken Stock – Adds flavor depth without being fussy. It’s the secret sauce behind your casserole’s “why is this so good?” moment.
- Milk – For that rich, creamy texture that says, “Yes, I’m extra, and no, I’m not sorry.”
- Green Onions – A little pop of color, a little zing, and enough personality to keep things from getting too beige.
Want the recipe deets without all the scrollin’ and endless chatter? Download the free ham & cheese grits casserole kitchen cheat sheet—everything you need, none of the ramblin’, and zero judgment if you spill cheese on it. Just print it, tape it to the fridge, and pretend you’ve had it together all along.
📖 Recipe
Ham and Cheese Grits Breakfast Bake
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 32 ounces chicken stock, about 4 cups
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ½ cups quick-cooking grits
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, 4 ounces
- 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, 4 ounces
- 2 cups ham, diced
- ¾ cup green onions, sliced -divided use
- 3 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat that oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Mix the cheeses together in a bowl and set it aside. Try not to snack on it. (Okay, maybe a little.)
- In a big saucepan, bring the milk and chicken broth to a boil. This is where the magic starts—don’t walk away!
- Slowly whisk in the grits like you mean it. Then drop the heat to low, slap a lid on it, and let those grits do their thing. Stir now and then until they’re thick, creamy, and lump-free—about 8 minutes.
- Take it off the heat and stir in 1 ½ cups of that glorious cheese mixture until it melts into creamy, cheesy goodness.
- Add in the ham and ½ cup of green onions. Stir it like you’re folding gossip into your HOA newsletter.
- Now it’s time to add the eggs—but go slow. Stir constantly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs in your casserole.
- Spoon the mixture into your prepared dish and smooth it out like you’re frosting a very savory cake.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is set and your kitchen smells like heaven with a Southern accent.
- Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top, then bake another 5 minutes until it’s melted and bubbly. Swoon.
- Finish with the remaining green onions and serve it up hot. Bonus points if you eat it barefoot on the back porch with a sweet tea in hand.
Notes
- 🧂 Season those grits. Don’t trust the chicken stock to do all the work—taste before adding the eggs and give it a good pinch of salt if it’s feelin’ bland. Boring grits are a sin in at least 14 Southern states.
- 🥄 Use a whisk for smoother grits. Clumps are for mascara, not breakfast. Whisk those grits like you’re trying to erase your poor life choices from last weekend.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
🔪 How to make ham and cheese grits casserole
If you can stir a spoon and turn on an oven, you’ve got this. No culinary degree required—just a little sass and a deep respect for cheese.
- Cook the grits in that cozy milk and chicken stock bath like they’re headed to a spa day—smooth and steamy.
- Stir in the cheese, ham, and green onions like you’re casually throwing together culinary brilliance. (Don’t forget to taste-test. Repeatedly. For science.)
- Add the beaten eggs like you're blessing this dish with Southern magic. Stir it all up like you mean it.
- Spread it into a casserole dish like you’re laying out its red carpet moment, then bake until golden, bubbly, and smelling like you know what the heck you're doing.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
You can, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time—and maybe your schedule. Quick grits keep things moving when brunch waits for no one.
Somebody didn’t let their grits thicken properly before adding the rest. It’s a casserole, not soup. Cook those grits until they’re thicker than family gossip before movin’ on.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
If cheesy, cozy breakfast casseroles are your love language, you’re in good company. These morning bakes bring the same comfort, carbs, and “yes I made this” energy—perfect for holidays, houseguests, or just showing off before noon.
- Overnight Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Set it, forget it, and wake up to a hot breakfast that smells like you hired a live-in grandma. Layers of potatoes, sausage, cheese, and eggs slow-cook while you sleep like the exhausted legend you are. Bonus: no one has to see you pre-coffee. - Amish Breakfast Casserole
Simple, hearty, and packed with enough eggs, hash browns, ham, and cheese to fuel a barn-raising—or just wrangling your family through Sunday morning chaos. No frills, no fuss, and absolutely no room for anyone to say, “Is this keto?” - Burrito Breakfast Casserole
All the flavor of a loaded breakfast burrito, none of the rolling, wrapping, or mid-bite tortilla betrayal. Eggs, sausage, peppers, and cheese baked into one bubbly, spicy, fork-friendly fiesta. Serve it with salsa and a smug grin.
There you have it—creamy grits, smoky ham, melty cheese, and enough flavor to make this breakfast bake the star of any table (or at least the reason your relatives stop side-eying your store-bought pies). Whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning ahead, or just in a committed relationship with carbs, this casserole has your back.
Go ahead, print the cheat sheet, save the recipe, and strut into your kitchen like you own the place. Because after this? You kinda do. 💁♀️
Hungry for more? Check out the other breakfast bakes above and keep that oven warm. Your brunch game is officially unstoppable.
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