A Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl is a fun, delicious, and impressive dish that’s perfect for gatherings, holidays, or any special occasion. This savory, creamy seafood filling is served inside a hollowed-out bread bowl, making it a complete and flavorful appetizer or main dish. Here’s a simple recipe to make it!
Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Seafood Filling:
- 1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped into small pieces
- 1/2 lb crab meat (canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup cooked scallops or a mix of other seafood (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
For the Bread Bowl:
- 1 large round sourdough bread loaf (or any round crusty bread loaf)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bread Bowl:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the top off the bread loaf and carefully hollow out the inside, leaving about 1-2 inches of bread on the sides and bottom. Be sure to save the bread pieces for dipping!
- Place the hollowed-out bread bowl on a baking sheet and set aside.
- Make the Seafood Filling:
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cream cheese has melted and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add the chopped shrimp, crab meat, and any other seafood (scallops, etc.) to the mixture. Stir well.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella cheese (reserve 1/4 cup for topping) and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. Season with Old Bay seasoning (if using), lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Stuff the Bread Bowl:
- Spoon the seafood mixture into the hollowed-out bread bowl. Be generous with the stuffing, ensuring it’s packed in tightly.
- Top with the reserved 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Bread Bowl:
- Bake the stuffed bread bowl in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly, and the bread is crispy around the edges.
- You can also broil for an additional 1-2 minutes to get the cheese nice and golden if you want a crispy top.
- Serve:
- Remove the bread bowl from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
- Serve with the bread pieces you removed earlier for dipping or with additional crackers or vegetables.
This Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl is rich, creamy, and full of flavor with tender shrimp, crab, and a deliciously cheesy filling. It’s a showstopper dish that will definitely impress your guests. Let me know how it turns out, and if you need any adjustments!