Budget Shrimp Creole
Budget Shrimp Creole offers a hearty, flavorful dish with a rich tomato base accented by green peppers, celery, and onions. Juicy shrimp and aromatic seasonings make it perfect for a comforting family meal or casual gathering, served over hot rice for a satisfying, affordable delight.
Ingredients
- 2 medium green peppers, finely chopped
- 1 cup celery, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups onions, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 large clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/4 cup margarine ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons parsley ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 6 oz. package frozen miniature shrimp ⓘ
- 4 cups hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute green peppers, celery, onions, and garlic in margarine until tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in tomato sauce, water, parsley, salt, red pepper, and bay leaves.
- Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the frozen miniature shrimp.
- Heat to boiling.
- Cover and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve over hot cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of hot sauce to the mixture. If you don't have frozen miniature shrimp, you can substitute with fresh shrimp, but adjust the cooking time accordingly. Also, feel free to swap out the margarine for olive oil or butter for a different taste. This dish pairs beautifully with Crab Mushrooms for a delightful seafood meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the shrimp creole over hot cooked rice, as the rice absorbs the delicious sauce. This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or some crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. Consider serving it alongside Omega Oyster Crackers for added crunch and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the shrimp creole in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. You can also microwave it, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Budget Shrimp Creole contains roughly 345 calories, with 19g protein, 69g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (272% of the Daily Value), iron (129% of the Daily Value), and potassium (68% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1562mg per serving (68% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh shrimp instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp instead of frozen. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time, adding the shrimp just a few minutes before the dish is done to prevent overcooking. Fresh shrimp will enhance the flavor of the dish.
What can I substitute for green peppers?
If you don't have green peppers, you can use red or yellow bell peppers for a sweeter flavor, or even zucchini as a low-calorie alternative. The key is to maintain the volume of vegetables for balance in the dish.
Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe includes red pepper, which adds a mild heat. If you prefer a spicier dish, consider increasing the amount of red pepper or adding cayenne pepper to taste. Conversely, you can reduce or omit the red pepper for a milder flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).