If baking casserole immediately, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Bring 1 ½ cups water, whipping cream, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in grits. Cover the pot, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes-stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Lightly beat 3 eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in about ¼ cup cooked grits to the bowl of eggs. This step will help temper the eggs and keep them from scrambling when added to the hot grits.
Add cheese, butter, garlic powder, and tempered eggs to grits. Stir to combine.
Pour grits mixture into 11 x 7 inch baking dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray.
If making the recipe ahead: cover and chill for at least 8 hours. When ready to bake, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the casserole from refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes. Bake for 40 minutes.
If using the casserole immediately, bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
Notes
I made this recipe with Quaker Oats brand quick cooking grits. It used to come in a canister, but the last time I bought it, it came in a box. These are the 5 minutes grits, not the instant grits that come in individual packets.Nutritional information is an estimate.You can bake this in a different sized pan, such as an 8 x 8 or a 2 quart round casserole. Cooking times may need to be adjusted slightly.