Mama's Black Eyed Pea Casserole by Emeril

Dive into Southern comfort with Mama's Black Eyed Pea Casserole by Emeril, a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for family dinners or potlucks. This easy-to-make casserole combines tender ground beef, vibrant veggies, Cajun-seasoned black-eyed peas, and fluffy white rice, all baked under a golden layer of gooey cheddar cheese. Using pantry staples like canned black-eyed peas and diced tomatoes, this recipe comes together in just 50 minutes, making it a comforting weeknight meal option. Top it off with fresh green onions for a burst of color and flavor, and serve it warm for a crowd-pleasing classic that’s rich in taste and tradition. Ideal keywords: black-eyed pea casserole, Southern comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, Cajun casserole recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 15-ounce cans canned black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cup chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Season the mixture with cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices) and stir in the black-eyed peas. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked rice until well incorporated.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch casserole dish and spread it out evenly.

Step 9

Top the casserole with shredded cheddar cheese.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped green onions, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2480.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2981.7

Total Fat 148.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 442.2mg	0%
Sodium 7577.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 260.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.3g	0%
Total Sugars 40.0g
Protein 156.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1222.0mg	0%
Iron 27.3mg	0%
Potassium 4183.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.6%

Protein: 20.8%

Carbs: 34.7%