Paula Deen's Savannah Red Rice

Experience the rich, comforting flavors of the South with Paula Deen's Savannah Red Rice, a classic Southern side dish bursting with hearty ingredients and vibrant seasonings. This easy-to-make recipe combines smoky, crispy bacon with a savory medley of sautéed onions, green bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Infused with the tangy goodness of diced tomatoes and tomato paste, and simmered in chicken broth, each grain of long-grain white rice absorbs layers of delicious, robust flavor. A touch of sugar rounds out the dish, while the baked casserole method ensures a fluffy, perfectly cooked texture. Finished with crumbled bacon for that irresistible crunch, this dish is a crowd-pleasing accompaniment to any Southern-style feast or a satisfying meal on its own. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe is a true celebration of Low Country cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, finely chopped green bell pepper
• 2 stalks, finely chopped celery
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve the bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 3

In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the finely chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato paste, chicken broth, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5

Add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 6

Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the rice mixture.

Step 7

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.

Step 8

Remove from the oven, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1527.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1325.8

Total Fat 31.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.6g
Cholesterol 55.7mg	0%
Sodium 4861.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 214.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 33.2g
Protein 46.1g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 307.3mg	0%
Iron 8.8mg	0%
Potassium 2663.8mg	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: 21.4%

Protein: 13.9%

Carbs: 64.7%