Imagine all the best parts of a seafood feast and cozy bread fresh from the bakery, then picture them coming together in the ultimate comfort-food dish: the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe. Warm, creamy, luxuriously cheesy, and packed with flavorful shrimp and crab, this appetizer (or main course!) is irresistibly delicious and a total showstopper for family gatherings, holiday meals, or any time you want to impress with minimal fuss. Get ready to dive into the best kind of edible bowl—one you’ll be craving time and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe relies on easy-to-find, fresh ingredients that each play an essential role in creating its signature taste and texture. Nothing complicated here: just the right mix for creamy, tangy, crunchy, and savory perfection.
- Large round sourdough or artisan bread loaf, hollowed out: The edible bowl that holds everything together, adding a tangy, crusty element and the perfect vehicle for dipping.
- Cooked shrimp (chopped): Sweet, tender shrimp bring rich, classic seafood flavor to every bite.
- Cooked crab meat: Adds delicate, briny notes and a luxurious texture to the filling.
- Diced celery: A crisp, refreshing crunch balances out the creaminess of the cheeses.
- Diced red bell pepper: Pops of color and subtle sweetness make the filling vibrant and fresh.
- Diced onion: For added savory depth that blends beautifully with seafood.
- Minced garlic: Provides fragrant, punchy complexity throughout the bread bowl.
- Cream cheese (softened): The key to a luscious, creamy filling that melds all the flavors together.
- Mayonnaise: Gives an extra boost of richness and classic dip texture.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey, savory goodness for each spoonful.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, salty depth and helps brown the top beautifully.
- Lemon juice: A splash of brightness that lifts and enhances the seafood flavors.
- Old Bay seasoning: Classic spice blend for that signature seafood zing.
- Smoked paprika: Infuses a subtle warmth and smokiness into the creamy mix.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to balance and round out all the flavors.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Brings a burst of color and freshness right before serving.
- Butter for brushing bread bowl: A simple step that gives you a gloriously golden, crisp crust.
How to Make Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Bread Bowl
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your beautiful round loaf and carefully cut around the top to create a “lid” (set this aside for later!). Hollow out the inside, leaving about a one-inch thick shell all around. Brush both the inside and outside generously with melted butter—this is what helps achieve that irresistible golden, crunchy exterior and keeps the bread from getting soggy once it’s filled.
Step 2: Mix the Seafood Filling
In a large bowl, toss together the chopped shrimp, crab meat, celery, red bell pepper, onion, and garlic until combined. Add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Old Bay, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together gently but thoroughly; you want the seafood and veggies evenly distributed in all that creamy, cheesy goodness.
Step 3: Stuff the Bread Bowl
Spoon the luscious seafood mixture right into your butter-brushed bread bowl, piling it in and pressing it down gently with a spatula or back of a spoon. Fill it up to the brim, making sure the filling is packed in but not overflowing. This is where it really starts to look irresistible!
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Set your stuffed bread bowl on a baking sheet (to catch any drips), and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the top is beautifully golden. That cheesy crust forms a decadent layer you’ll be fighting over at the table. The aroma will fill your kitchen with the promise of something special.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove from the oven and sprinkle generously with fresh parsley for extra color and zest. Serve the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe warm, with the chunks of bread you scooped out earlier (just cut or tear them into bite-sized pieces). Don’t be shy—everyone will want to dig in right away!
How to Serve Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe
Garnishes
Add an extra flourish by sprinkling a little more fresh parsley (or even chives), a touch more grated Parmesan, and a few lemon wedges around the side for squeezing. Fresh dill can also make an elegant, flavorful finishing touch atop your Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe.
Side Dishes
This dish is comfort in a bowl but pairs beautifully with a simple crisp salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, steamed green beans, or even oven-roasted potatoes. If you’re going for appetizers, set out a platter of crunchy veggie sticks or fresh crudités for dipping in the luscious filling.
Creative Ways to Present
Bake individual mini bread bowls for a personal-sized treat at a party, or serve the filling in puff pastry shells for an elegant twist. For a family-style meal, surround the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe with toasted baguette slices, crackers, or herb garlic pita chips for even more ways to scoop up the creamy goodness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe leftovers (don’t count on it!), transfer the remaining filling and bread pieces to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The mixture will stay flavorful and creamy, but the bread will lose some crispness over time.
Freezing
For best results, freeze only the seafood filling (not the bread bowl) in an airtight container for up to 1 month. When ready to serve again, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then proceed with the bread bowl and baking steps as usual for that freshly-made taste.
Reheating
To reheat the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe, place it back in a 325°F oven, covered loosely with foil, until heated through and bubbly—about 15 minutes. For individual portions, you can also microwave in short bursts, but the oven will help revive that deliciously crisp bread shell.
FAQs
Can I use imitation crab instead of real crab meat?
Absolutely! If real crab isn’t available or you prefer imitation crab, it will still result in plenty of flavor and great texture. Just chop it into bite-sized pieces and use an equal amount as called for in the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe.
What kind of bread works best for this recipe?
Look for a large, round artisan loaf or classic sourdough—something with a thick, sturdy crust. This prevents leaks and gives you that hearty, chewy base the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe is known for. Avoid soft sandwich breads, which tend to get soggy quickly.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the seafood filling up to a day in advance. Just store it covered in the refrigerator, then build and bake your Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe right before serving so everything is fresh and the bread is crisp.
How spicy is this recipe? Can I adjust the heat?
The recipe as written is flavorful with a gentle warmth from Old Bay and smoked paprika, but it isn’t spicy-hot. If you like a bit of a kick, add cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the mix for more heat!
Is this dish gluten free?
As written, the Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe is not gluten free because of the bread. However, you can easily make the filling gluten free by using a gluten free bread loaf—just check your local bakery or specialty store for options.
Final Thoughts
This recipe brings friends and family together in the most delicious way, and there’s something undeniably festive about tearing off a hunk of warm bread and scooping up that creamy, seafood-packed filling. I hope you’ll try this Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe soon—don’t be surprised if it becomes everyone’s new comfort food favorite!
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Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this decadent Seafood-Stuffed Bread Bowl, a delightful combination of shrimp, crab, and creamy cheeses baked to perfection in a hollowed-out loaf of bread. Perfect for parties or as a comforting main dish.
Ingredients
For the Bread Bowl:
- 1 large round sourdough or artisan bread loaf, hollowed out
- Butter for brushing bread bowl
For the Seafood Filling:
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp (chopped)
- 1/2 pound cooked crab meat
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare bread: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Hollow out the bread loaf and brush with melted butter.
- Prepare filling: Mix shrimp, crab, veggies, cheeses, spices, and lemon juice in a bowl.
- Fill the bread bowl: Spoon seafood mixture into the bread, press gently.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until heated through and golden on top.
- Serve: Sprinkle with parsley, serve warm with bread chunks for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- Enhance spiciness with hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
- Great for parties or as a main dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 bread bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
