Quick and Easy Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

Being On Lockdown Doesn’t Mean We’re Not Busy

For most of us, this COVID-19 quarantine or lock down or whatever your state is calling it has changed our lives considerably. I am so very lucky my job gives me the ability to telework (although the commute is tough!). People keep asking what I’m doing with all my extra time…huh? I’m working…just like before…but from home.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” – Sun Tzu

So I still have that dilemma at the end of the day – what can I make for dinner that will be delicious, nutritious, and give me time with my family? Enter these Quick and Easy Shrimp and Cheesy Grits! On your table in under 30 minutes, with only two dirty pots! Yes, please.

Cheesy Grits Don’t Have To Be Hard!

In a perfect world we would have all the time we needed to make our own pasta, roast bones for hours for broth, and simmer our long- cooking grains to perfection. But the reality is most of us just don’t..at least not often. Luckily, there are a lot of brands now that have awesome quick-cooking options, like these quick grits. With the right recipe they can be creamy and scrumptious, just like their long-cooking counterparts!

Start by bringing the water and bouillon to a boil (I love the deep flavor of Better Than Bouillon), add the grits, cover and lower the heat to medium-low. Then cook for 4-5 minutes (don’t overcook…you want them to be slightly loose), and finally stir in the cream until the grits are smooth. This will help them maintain a creamy texture as they cool!

The Cheese Sets the Mood

These Quick and Easy Shrimp and Cheesy Grits are loaded with personality…and which personality depends on what cheese you use. They are perfect with any cheese that melts well…the sharp goodness of a cheddar, the smooth smokiness of gouda, the clean creaminess of mozzarella, the salty nutty flavor of gruyère…whatever your tastebuds are craving (or what you have in the fridge)! Add your cheese to the cooked grits, stir until it is completely melted, then take the pan off the heat and put the lid back on to keep warm.

Shrimp Makes Every Dish Seem Fancy!

Frozen shrimp work perfectly in this recipe, but you need to thaw them out first and dry on a paper towel so they don’t add too much moisture to the pan. In a heavy skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil over medium high heat. Add onion, bell peppers, salt and pepper and saute for 3-4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and mushrooms and cook for another minute. Move to a plate or bowl.

Heat the remaining oil to to medium high. Add shrimp and cook and stir until lightly pink, 3-4 minutes. Add cajun seasonings and parsley, then stir vegetable mixture back into the pan to warm. Serve on top of the grits and be prepared for all the compliments!

I hope you give this easy weeknight meal a try! If you are looking for other quick and easy weeknight meals take a look at these amazing Blackened Tilapia Lettuce Cups.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. And while you’re here we would love it if you would subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss the next quick and easy meal!

Stay safe my friends!

Michele

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Quick and Easy Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

Creamy, cheesy grits topped with Cajun Shrimp and Vegetables – on the table in less than 30 minutes

Course Main Course

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 8

Author Michele

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 2 bouillon cubes any flavor (I prefer to use Better Than Bouillon)
• 1 cup Quick Cooking Grits
• 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Any melty cheese will be delicious
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 onion – sliced
• 1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper – cut in strips
• 8 oz mushrooms – sliced
• 2 cloves garlic – minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 lbs Small or medium shrimp – peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp cajun seasonings
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley – optional
• 2 tbsp olive oil (or whatever you prefer)

Instructions

Cheesy Grits

1. In a medium saucepan bring water and bouillon to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in grits. Cook 4-5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally. Add cream and stir until smooth. Add cheese, stir until melted and remove from heat. Cover with lid to keep warm.

Shrimp and Vegetables

1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, bell peppers, salt and pepper and saute until almost tender, 3-4 minutes. Add mushrooms and garlic, cook for one more minute. Remove to a plate or bowl.

2. Heat remaining oil in skillet. Add shrimp and cook until slightly pink, 3-4 minutes. Add cajun seasoning and parsley and cook one minute more. Add vegetables back into skillet to warm.

3. Add grits to a plate or bowl with shrimp mixture on top.

Recipe Notes

If using frozen shrimp thaw and dry on a paper towel before cooking.