Hominy and Grits Casserole with Cheddar Cheese

5 cups water
1 cup grits
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound raw, bulk breakfast sausage
2 (16 ounce) cans hominy, rinsed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Dash cayenne pepper
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring the water to a boil and add the grits and salt; reduce heat to low and cook 15-20 minutes until water is absorbed and grits are tender.

In a skillet brown the sausage, breaking up with a potato masher to crumble. Cook until done, then add the hominy. Stir and cook until hominy is hot. Drain off fat.

Mix in the cooked grits, thyme and cayenne. Pour mixture in a 9 x 13-inch casserole and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.

Serves 8.

Nutrition values per serving: 241 calories, 12 g fat, 23 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 10 g protein, 31 mg cholesterol, 828 mg sodium