Creole Peas
Creole Peas is a hearty, flavorful casserole blending smoky bacon, savory vegetables, and tender green peas, layered with eggs, mushroom soup, and crunchy bread crumbs. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, it offers a comforting taste of Creole-inspired cuisine with a rich, satisfying profile.
Ingredients
- 5 strips bacon ⓘ
- 1 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1 cup tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon mustard ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz) can green peas ⓘ
- 4 eggs, hard-boiled ⓘ
- 1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 cup bread crumbs ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Fry bacon until crisp, drain, and crumble.
- Sauté chopped green pepper, onion, and celery in bacon drippings.
- Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, salt, and black pepper; mix well.
- Layer half of the hot mixture in the prepared dish.
- Add half of the bacon crumbs, sliced hard-boiled eggs, and mushroom soup.
- Repeat the layers with remaining ingredients.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes until heated through and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, consider adding a dash of smoked paprika or using a smoked bacon variety. If you're looking to make this dish vegetarian, substitute the bacon with sautéed mushrooms or tempeh. You can also swap out the green peas for frozen mixed vegetables for a different texture, but remember to adjust cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty dish pairs well with a simple side salad or cornbread for a complete meal. For additional flavor, serve with a drizzle of hot sauce or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley. It also complements well with biscuits or toasted garlic bread. For a comforting breakfast option, try it alongside Bacon And Egg Pie.
Storage & Reheating
Allow any leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions on medium power for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creole Peas contains roughly 307 calories, with 11g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (36% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (30% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1392mg per serving (61% 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 peas instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh peas, but you will need to cook them beforehand until tender, which will add a bit of extra prep time. Canned peas are convenient and already cooked, but fresh ones will enhance the dish with a brighter flavor and firmer texture.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular bread crumbs with gluten-free bread crumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers. Ensure that the cream of mushroom soup is also gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat flour as a thickener.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the entire dish up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if you start with a chilled casserole.
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).