Description
Hearty Chicken Sausage with Sundried Tomatoes and Grits brings Southern comfort right to your dinner table, melding spicy sausage with creamy grits for a satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace from an old friend.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 12 oz package chicken sausage
- 4 ounces shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ⅓ cup grits
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 4.5 oz can diced tomatoes with oregano
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 small green pepper chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat a skillet to medium temperature. Slice 12 oz chicken sausage into diagonal pieces and sear until golden brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Add 1 chopped small onion and 1 chopped green pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables become translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Pour 1 4.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, ¼ cup marinara sauce, and 1 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet. Reduce heat to low.
- Simmer the sausage mixture for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- In a separate large saucepan, combine 2 cups water, 2 cups milk, and 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Gradually whisk 1 ⅓ cups quick grits into the boiling liquid, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce heat to low and continue stirring grits for 5-6 minutes until they thicken and become creamy.
- Stir 4 ounces shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano and 4 ounces shredded mozzarella into the grits. Season with 1 tsp pepper.
- Transfer creamy grits to serving plates and top with the sausage mixture. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use chicken sausage with lower fat content for a healthier version that keeps the dish lean and flavorful.
- Stir grits constantly during the first few minutes of cooking to prevent stubborn lumps from forming and create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Consider using smoked gouda or sharp cheddar instead of standard cheeses to add more depth to your grits and complement the sausage’s robust flavor.
- If watching sodium intake, select low-sodium marinara sauce and rinse canned tomatoes before adding to control salt levels in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 33-35 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 466 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 689 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg