Shrimply Divine: Southern Shrimp & Grits Bowl with Veggies Recipe

If this dish had a personality, it’d be warm, a little spicy, and definitely ready to impress.

Shrimply Divine is one of the flavorful, no-fuss dinners from my upcoming book Dinner for One: One Pan, One Plate, One Happy Belly. Like all the dishes in the book, it’s designed for solo (or duo) home cooks who want something satisfying without the stress — just delicious, doable, and flexible.

That means no rigid recipes, no fancy measurements. Just a simple framework you can adjust based on what’s in your fridge or what you’re craving. Cooking for more? Just double, triple, or quadruple — easy as that.

Let’s dive in... and make yummy southern shrimp & grits:

🕒 Prep Time: 10 min🔥 Cook Time: 10–15 min⏳ Total Time: 20–25 min

🔥 HOW IT’S GONNA GO DOWN

Stovetop Cook, Sauté + Simmer

🧺 BLOCK PARTY (INGREDIENTS)

Perfectly portioned for one full bowl of cozy

Grits or polenta (~¼ cup dry = ~1 cup cooked): Quick-cooking or instant works great

Liquid for cooking (~1 cup): Water, broth, or a mix with milk (for creaminess)

Veggies to vibe with (~½–¾ cup): Spinach, tomato, bell pepper, corn, scallions, mushrooms

Cheese (optional, ~2 tbsp): Cheddar, Parmesan, or goat cheese

🍗 CALL IN YOUR POWER PLAYERS (~4–6 oz)

• Shrimp (peeled and deveined)

• Chicken sausage or andouille

• Bacon

• Crispy tofu

👩‍🍳 “Shrimp’s the classic, but anything with a little sear will shine here.”

🌿 ASSEMBLE YOUR FLAVOR CREW

Cajun Kick: Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, garlic, chili flakes

Southern Comfort: Cracked pepper, cumin, chili powder, butter + cheddar stirred into the grits

Tomato Twist: Basil, oregano, garlic, cherry tomatoes sautéed with olive oil

👩‍🍳 HERE’S THE GAME PLAN – SIMMER, SIZZLE, SPOON IT UP

1. Cook grits or polenta according to package directions (simmer in water, broth, or milk mix). Stir in butter or cheese if using. Keep warm.

2. While that simmers, sauté your protein until cooked through.

3. Add your veggies and flavor crew to the pan. Sauté and simmer ~5–7 minutes until golden and tender.

4. Spoon the creamy base into a bowl and top with your sizzling mix.

5. Finish with fresh herbs, a dash of hot sauce, or a drizzle of olive oil.

✨ PLAY YOUR WILD CARD

• Want it saucy? Add a splash of broth or lemon juice at the end to make a quick glaze.

• Spice level’s up to you — go bold if you love heat, or keep it mellow and buttery.

This is comfort food that doesn’t come with a side of stress.

Make it your own. Trust your taste. And if you do whip it up, tag me — I’d love to see your spin on it!

With Flavor Love,

Kerstin