Main Dishes

Easy Week-night Shrimp and Grits

Easy Shrimp and Grits – This recipe is so quick to make with few ingredients. Creamy buttery grits topped with Old Bay seasoned shrimp.

In need of a quick weeknight dinner?

Let me share with you that brunch recipes do not have to just be for the middle of the day, but you can also enjoy them in the evening. It is a great way to have something for your family when you are short on time and need to prepare something in a flash.

Shrimp and Grits is basically a staple at my house because I usually keep a bag of shrimp stashed away in the freezer for those times when I need to fill hungry bellies in a hurry. Shrimp is great for this because it freezes really well, can thaw out in a short amount of time, and can be prepared in minutes…literally!

Shrimp can be fried, tossed in a quick pasta, or my favorite way to prepare it is by pairing it with some hot, cheesy, buttery grits. This southern dish can be prepared in many different ways. There are many versions and recipes of this dish out there. You can add in sausage, make the sauce creamy, or even fry the shrimp and toss them in a sauce. When I began making this dish at home, of course you know I had to make it as simple as possible because no one has time to spend a whole bunch of hours in the kitchen. Especially during the week. Especially when your family is hungry and asking you “What is for Dinner?”

And…

Do not let cooking creamy grits intimidate you. With this recipe, you will simply use quick cooking grits that take about 5 minutes to cook. You will add them into a saucepan along with some chicken broth instead of water for more flavor and allow them to boil. Once the grits have finished cooking, you will add in butter and cheese…because you have to have butter and cheese in grits right? That is it…flavorful creamy grits every time by following these few steps.

Easy Weeknight Shrimp and Grits

Print Recipe

Serves: 4-6 Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

6 cups chicken broth
2 cups quick cooking grits
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 cup spinach, seasoned and sauteed
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, diced
salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, whisk in the chicken broth and grits on medium high heat.

Once the grits come to a boil, reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, whisking occasionally until done. About 5 minutes.

Stir the butter and cheese into the grits until melted.

While the grits are cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add in the onion, and cook until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.

Season the shrimp with the Old Bay Seasoning and add to the skillet with the onion. Cook until shrimp turn pink if using raw shrimp, or if using pre-cooked shrimp just until heated thoroughly, about 5 minutes.

Serve the grits in a bowl, topped with the shrimp, and the sauteed spinach and tomatoes.