Shrimp and Rice Casserole
 
Makes 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1½ cups chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 3 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1¾ cups converted rice*
  • 1 pound large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a shallow 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a small Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in pan. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery; cook over medium-high heat until lightly browned and softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, thyme, Creole seasoning, salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in rice. Spoon into prepared pan; spray heavy-duty foil with cooking spray and cover.
  3. Bake until rice is tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cover and bake until shrimp are pink and firm, about 10 minutes more. Sprinkle with bacon. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Recipe by Southern Lady Magazine at https://southernladymagazine.com/shrimp-and-rice-casserole-recipe/