Charleston Red Rice

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

2 . Stage

Bring water, rice, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.

3 . Stage

While rice is cooking, cook bacon in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan. Reduce heat to medium. Drain bacon on a plate lined with paper towels; crumble the bacon once cooled enough to handle.

4 . Stage

Cook and stir onions in the reserved bacon drippings until translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in crumbled bacon, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce; bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat, and continue to simmer for 10 minutes.

5 . Stage

Spoon cooked rice into the prepared baking dish and stir the tomato-bacon mixture into the rice until evenly combined.

6 . Stage

Cover the dish and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.