Grits and Greens Casserole
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 10 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 10 servings
- Calories
- 587
- Total Fat
- 38
- Saturated Fat
- 18
- Carbohydrates
- 41
- Dietary Fiber
- 4
- Sugar
- 8
- Protein
- 22
- Cholesterol
- 83
- Sodium
- 926
- Total: 1 hr 30 min
- Active: 1 hr
Ingredients
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
Directions
- 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.