Front Porch Diabetic

 Michelle’s Faux Shrimp & Grits

Bubba Gump-Style Garlic Butter Shrimp with Cheesy Cottage Cheese “Grits”

If you love shrimp and grits but you're trying to keep the carbs down, I've got a delicious little Southern-inspired twist for you!

Instead of traditional cornmeal grits, this recipe uses warm cottage cheese and sharp cheddar to create creamy, cheesy “grits.” Then we pile on buttery, garlicky, Old Bay-seasoned shrimp and finish everything with crispy bacon.

And let me tell you—the shrimp are the star of this dish!

They're buttery, garlicky, savory, slightly smoky and packed with flavor. The little squeeze of lemon at the end brings everything together.

Best of all, there's no traditional grits, no potatoes and no bread in this bowl.

🍤 Why You'll Love This Recipe

- Low carb while still feeling like comfort food

- High in protein

- Creamy and cheesy without traditional grits

- Buttery, garlicky shrimp with that Old Bay seafood flavor

- Crispy bacon adds the perfect salty crunch

- Takes very little time to make

- Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner

🧀 The “Grits”

The secret is simple: don't blend the cottage cheese!

I actually prefer leaving the cottage cheese as-is because I like having those little curds. When you heat it with sharp cheddar and butter, it becomes warm, creamy and cheesy while still having some texture.

Ingredients

- 1 cup cottage cheese

- 2 tablespoons shredded sharp cheddar

- 1 tablespoon butter

- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

- Black pepper, to taste

- Salt, only if needed

Directions

Add the cottage cheese and shredded cheddar to a microwave-safe bowl.

Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.

Microwave for another 20–30 seconds and stir again.

Add the butter, garlic powder and black pepper. Stir until everything is combined.

Don't overcook the cottage cheese. You want it hot and creamy, not boiling.

🍤 Bubba Gump-Style Garlic Butter Shrimp

This is where the big flavor comes in.

Ingredients

- ½–1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp

- 1½ tablespoons butter

- 1 clove garlic, minced, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder

- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

- ¼ teaspoon onion powder

- Black pepper, to taste

- 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 20–30 seconds. You don't want to burn the garlic.

Add the Old Bay, smoked paprika, onion powder and black pepper. Stir the seasonings into the butter.

Add the shrimp and toss them around in that delicious seasoned butter.

Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, depending on the size of your shrimp, until they're opaque and cooked through.

Remove the skillet from the heat and add the lemon juice.

That little bit of lemon makes a huge difference. It brightens up the buttery shrimp and keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

🥓 Don't Forget the Bacon!

I'm using pre-cooked bacon for this recipe, which makes things even easier.

Warm two slices in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds if you want them extra crispy. Then crumble them into bite-sized pieces.

🍽️ Put It All Together

Now comes the best part.

Spoon your warm cheesy cottage cheese “grits” into a bowl.

Top with your garlic-butter shrimp.

Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top.

Then spoon some of that remaining buttery shrimp sauce over everything.

If you want to make it extra cheesy, add another sprinkle of sharp cheddar.

A little chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon make a beautiful finishing touch.

📊 Approximate Nutrition

For a serving based on the recipe portions, the nutrition will vary depending on the brands of cottage cheese, cheddar, bacon and shrimp you use.

Approximately per serving:

- Calories: 330

- Protein: 33 g

- Total carbohydrates: 5 g

- Net carbs: approximately 5 g

- Fat: 20 g

Always check your individual product labels for the most accurate numbers, especially with cottage cheese and bacon.

❤️ Southern Comfort Without the Carb Load

This recipe is proof that you don't necessarily have to give up your favorite comfort foods—you can change the ingredients and keep the flavors you love.

You still get creamy “grits,” buttery shrimp, sharp cheddar and crispy bacon.

But instead of a bowl full of traditional grits, you've got a protein-packed, low-carb alternative that's easy enough to make on a weeknight.

And that shrimp?

That's what makes this dish.

The combination of butter, garlic, Old Bay, smoked paprika, onion powder and lemon gives the shrimp that rich seafood-house flavor that makes you want to go back for another bite.

🍤 Michelle's Tip

Don't overcook your shrimp!

The second they're opaque and cooked through, get them off the heat. Overcooked shrimp can go from tender and juicy to rubbery very quickly.

And don't waste that seasoned butter left in the skillet. Pour it right over your bowl.

That's where the flavor is!

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⭐ Michelle's Faux Shrimp & Grits

Creamy cottage cheese. Sharp cheddar. Garlic-butter shrimp. Crispy bacon.

All the comfort of shrimp and grits—with a low-carb twist.

Simple ingredients. Big Southern flavor.

Enjoy! ❤️