Shrimp Creole(Makes 6 Servings)
Shrimp Creole is a flavorful Cajun-inspired dish with a rich tomato sauce, aromatic vegetables, and tender shrimp, perfect for seafood lovers and hearty family dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onions ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 (1 lb.) can tomatoes, mashed ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder ⓘ
- dash of hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch ⓘ
- 1 lb. cooked shrimp ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine butter, chopped onions, chopped green pepper, diced celery, and minced garlic in a 2- or 3-quart casserole.
- Cook, uncovered, on High for 3 minutes. Add mashed tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, sugar, chili powder, and hot pepper sauce.
- Cook, uncovered, on High for 7 minutes, stirring once.
- Combine cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the casserole.
- Cook, uncovered, on High for 3 minutes, stirring once.
- Add cooked shrimp to the casserole.
- Cook, uncovered, on High for 2 minutes or until shrimp is piping hot.
- Serve with wild rice or plain boiled rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. If you're out of Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce can be a good substitute. To save time, use pre-cooked shrimp, which can be added just before serving. For a lighter version, swap the butter for olive oil and use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for a fresher flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Shrimp Creole over a bed of wild rice or plain boiled rice for a hearty meal. It also pairs beautifully with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. For a complete meal, consider serving a light salad or steamed vegetables alongside. This dish is perfect for entertaining or a cozy family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the Shrimp Creole in a microwave-safe dish and cover it to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. Avoid overcooking the shrimp to maintain their tenderness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Shrimp Creole(Makes 6 Servings) contains roughly 144 calories, with 6g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (26% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1752mg per serving (76% 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 cooked shrimp?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp, but make sure to cook them thoroughly before adding them to the casserole. You can sauté them in a separate pan until they turn pink, then mix them in towards the end of cooking to prevent overcooking.
What can I substitute for the green pepper?
If you don't have green pepper, you can use red or yellow bell pepper for a sweet flavor, or even zucchini for a different texture. Just chop them finely and add them with the other vegetables to ensure even cooking.
How can I adjust the recipe for more servings?
To adjust the recipe for more servings, simply scale up the ingredients proportionally. For example, if you want to serve 12, double all the ingredients. Be sure to use a larger casserole dish and increase the cooking times slightly to accommodate the larger volume.
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).