Cajun Shrimp and Cheese Grits are a delicious meal for 4! Cheesy grits are topped with Cajun-seasoned, pan-seared shrimp and creamy sauce.
If you’re looking for a great looking and tasting meal to serve to family or friends, may I suggest you check out this recipe for Cajun Shrimp and Cheese Grits?
A few years ago, my husband and I enjoyed a vacation in Franklin, Tennessee. We had the opportunity to try several regional foods while in the area and one of the dishes tried was shrimp and grits!
Last year I decided to come up with a recipe that is slightly similar but has its own flavor profile and this really yummy recipe is the result. We really love it. I cook grits with two kinds of cheese (sharp cheddar cheese and a small amount of goat cheese).
The grits, the shrimp and the sauce are all flavored with Cajun spices, which give the overall dish a wonderful, cohesive flavor! If you don’t have this spice mix available, you might be interested in using my recipe for Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
I really think you will enjoy this delicious and decadent meal. Here’s my recipe to make Cajun Shrimp and Cheese Grits.
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
Prepare The Cheese Grits
Cook 1 cup of grits with water and salt, according to the package directions. Please note that the time needed to cook the grits will depend on the type of grits you use.
TIP: Use either stone-ground grits or fast-cooking grits, according to your own personal preference or convenience. Stone-ground grits take between 30-45 minutes to cook, and Quick grits take about 5 minutes.
When the grits are fully cooked, add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of crumbled goat cheese. Stir until the two cheeses melt and are fully incorporated.
Add ½ teaspoon of Cajun (or Creole) spice mix and stir until combined. Season the cheesy grits with enough salt and black pepper to suit your personal taste.
Now you have made the creamy cheesy grits that will serve as the base layer for the cooked shrimp. Cover the pan and keep the grits hot while you quickly finish the dish.
Cook The Shrimp
Sprinkle peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 teaspoons of Cajun (or Creole) spice mix. Toss the shrimp gently until all of them are lightly seasoned.
In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter, then stir in 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook the butter and garlic for about 1 minute, stirring constantly so the garlic does not burn.
Add the seasoned shrimp and cook them for about 2-3 minutes per side and they are cooked through. Do not overcook the shrimp or they may become “rubbery” in texture.
Cook The Sauce Topping
Making the sauce topping for the shrimp and grits is easy. This sauce will be spooned over the bowls of shrimp and grits right before serving and provide another layer of flavor!
TIP: To save time, you might want to make this sauce BEFORE cooking the shrimp and grits. Simply reheat it at the last minute to spoon over the shrimp and grits.
In a large skillet, melt 2 Tablespoons butter on medium-low heat. Stir in ¾ cup of milk, ½ cup of chicken broth, ½ cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of Cajun (or Creole) spice mix.
Heat the sauce until it is fully hot and lump-free (it will be a fairly thin sauce). Remember, you can reheat it right before serving if you want to make it a little bit ahead of time.
Serve Cajun Shrimp And Cheese Grits
When all the components are hot, fully cooked and are ready to serve, this is how to plate the finished shrimp and cheese grits.
Spoon the cheese grits onto the bottom of each serving bowl (or plate). Add shrimp on top of the grits, then sprinkle the top with chopped green onions or chives.
Spoon some of the sauce over the top of the dish. It is a fairly thin sauce, so it will coat the shrimp and then run down the sides of the bowl and encircle the grits (shown in the photo below).
All the flavors in the cheese grits, on the shrimp and in the sauce come together in every single bite of this delicious main dish!
I hope you have the opportunity to make this yummy dish for yourself and those you love. I am confident you will all love it!
Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day.
Looking for More SHRIMP Recipes?
You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have lots of delicious shrimp recipes to choose from, including:
- Szechuan Shrimp Stir-Fry
- Fried Shrimp
- Creole Shrimp and Rice
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Shrimp and Broccoli Stir-Fry
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↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓
Cajun Shrimp and Cheese Grits are a delicious meal for 4! Cheesy grits are topped with Cajun-seasoned, pan-seared shrimp and creamy sauce.
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Quick Cooking Grits *OR stone-ground grits
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
- ¼ cup goat cheese (crumbled)
- ½ teaspoon Cajun spice mix
- salt and black pepper enough to season to taste
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons Cajun spice mix to season shrimp
- 1 pound shrimp peeled/ deveined
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup low-fat milk
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice mix
Cook grits with water and salt, according to pkg. directions. Note: cooking time depends on which kind of grits you use. **Stone Ground Grits take approx. 30-45 minutes, while Quick Grits take about 5 minutes. Use "Stone-Ground Grits" OR "Quick Grits", according to your own personal preference.
Add grated cheddar cheese and crumbled goat cheese. Heat on medium-low stirring often until cheeses melt and are fully incorporated. Add ½ tsp. of Cajun spice mix; stir until combined. Season grits to taste with salt and black pepper. Set aside, cover pan and keep hot. If using Quick Grits, time them so they are done when the shrimp is done, to save time!
Sprinkle shrimp with 2 tsp. of Cajun spice mix; toss gently to distribute spices.
Melt butter in large skillet; stir in minced garlic. Cook butter/garlic for about 1 minute, stirring often. Add shrimp; cook 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through and pink (do not overcook!). Remove from heat.
Melt butter in a large skillet on medium-low heat. Stir in milk, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese and 1 tsp. Cajun spice mix. Heat sauce through. TIP: To save time, you may want to make the sauce BEFORE cooking shrimp/grits. Reheat it right before serving.
Spoon hot cheese grits (divide evenly) into the bottom of serving bowls. Arrange shrimp on top, then sprinkle with chopped green onions (optional garnish). Spoon sauce over the shrimp; it will run down the sides and encircle the grits. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook time shown is for using "quick grits". If using stone-ground grits, the cooking time for the grits will increase considerably (per pkg. directions).
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards! 