Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
Liquids and Sauces
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) stewed tomatoes (San Marzano recommended)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce (San Marzano recommended)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning (or Cajun seasoning)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Protein
- 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
Instructions
- Start: Prepare all your ingredients by dicing the vegetables and peeling and deveining the shrimp if not already done.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large cast-iron pan or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat to get it ready for sautéing.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the vegetable oil to the hot pan. Once heated, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Stir frequently and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the diced green and red bell peppers along with the celery to the pan. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain some crunch.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and add the tomato paste. Stir in the hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer: Add the Creole seasoning, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you prefer an extra kick. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to develop flavors.
- Add Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the simmering sauce. Stir to coat the shrimp evenly and cook for 7 to 10 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and is cooked through.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or hot sauce as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve: Serve the shrimp creole hot over cooked rice. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to ensure even cooking and heat retention while simmering.
- San Marzano tomatoes are preferred for their rich and slightly sweet flavor but canned stewed tomatoes can be substituted.
- Adjust the spiciness by controlling the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- Shrimp cooks quickly; avoid overcooking to keep it tender and juicy.
- Serve with white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter option.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated, flavors often improve after resting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole