Pork and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups uncooked wild rice
• 6 cups water
• 6 slices bacon
• 4 pounds ground pork
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• cup celery, chopped
• cup flour
• 3 cups half and half
• 1 (18 ounce) can ready-to-serve cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (8 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained, liquid reserved
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 (2 ounce) jar diced pimento
• cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1: In a large pot, combine the wild rice and water. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 45 minutes. Remove from heat when done.

Step 2: Preheat your oven to 350F (175C). While the oven heats up, place the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until its crispy and evenly browned. Drain the bacon on paper towels, crumble it, and set it aside.

Step 3: In the same skillet, add the ground pork and cook it over medium-high heat until its browned and fully cooked. Drain the excess fat and set the pork aside with the crumbled bacon.

Step 4: Reduce the heat of the skillet to medium and add the butter. Once the butter melts, add the chopped onion and celery. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5: Sprinkle the flour into the remaining butter in the skillet, stirring constantly to create a smooth mixture. Gradually stir in the reserved mushroom liquid and half and half. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, which should take about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the cream of mushroom soup. Add the cooked rice, bacon, pork, sliced mushrooms, slivered almonds, pimentos, and fresh parsley. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, and stir until everything is well combined.

Step 7: Transfer the rice mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Spread it out evenly and place it in the preheated oven.

Step 8: Bake for 40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is slightly golden brown.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 598
• Total Fat: 39g (50% Daily Value)
• Saturated Fat: 14g (68% Daily Value)
• Cholesterol: 146mg (49% Daily Value)
• Sodium: 663mg (29% Daily Value)
• Total Carbohydrates: 28g (10% Daily Value)
• Dietary Fiber: 4g (13% Daily Value)
• Protein: 35g (70% Daily Value)
• Vitamin C: 10mg (11% Daily Value)
• Calcium: 132mg (10% Daily Value)
• Iron: 3mg (18% Daily Value)
• Potassium: 685mg (15% Daily Value)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.