Southern Charm Bake

Time :1 15

Yield :12 servings

Recipe Background

Southern Charm Bake is just enchanted to meet you, just like you'll be enchanted when you take your first bite of it! Tender grits serve as the base for a ball gown of flavors from the crispy, succulent bacon, the melty cheese, and the chicken stock infusion. Honestly, you just can't believe what Southern Charm Bake can offer your party; it'll be the belle of the ball in no time!

Ingredients

6 thick-cut bacon strips chopped
3 cups water
3 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups quick-cooking grits
12 ounces Velveeta™ cheese cubed
1/2 cup butter cubed
1/2 cup 2% milk
4 large eggs room temperature
2 cups white cheddar cheese shredded
parsley optional, to taste, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it is crisp.
Transfer the pan away from the heat and use a slotted spoon to place the cooked bacon onto paper towels.
Add the water, the chicken stock, the garlic powder, and the pepper to the bacon drippings and bring to a boil.
Slowly stir the grits into the chicken stock mixture, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook, covered, while stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
Transfer the pan from the heat.
Add the Velveeta™ and the butter to the grits mixture and stir until the cheese and the butter have melted.
Stir the milk into the grits mixture.
Slowly stir the eggs into the grits mixture until they are blended.
Transfer the casserole into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the cooked bacon and the cheddar cheese.
Bake, uncovered, until the edges are golden-brown and the cheese has melted, about 40-45 minutes.
Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes.
Serve with the parsley.