Description
These Loaded Cajun Seafood Stuffed Potatoes are a delicious and comforting dish combining tender baked russet potatoes with a creamy, flavorful seafood stuffing seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect as a hearty main course or impressive side for any seafood lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Potatoes
- 4 large russet potatoes
Seafood Mixture
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped
- 1 cup cooked crab meat or seafood blend, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Mash Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions or chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Potatoes: Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash potatoes thoroughly and pierce each several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake Potatoes: Place potatoes directly on the oven rack and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until they are fork-tender. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make Seafood Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine chopped shrimp, crab meat, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir in sour cream and 1/3 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until well incorporated.
- Scoop Potato Flesh: Slice each baked potato lengthwise. Carefully scoop out most of the flesh into a large bowl, leaving a 1/4-inch thick shell to hold the filling.
- Mash Potato Flesh: Add butter and milk or heavy cream to the potato flesh, then mash until smooth. Gently fold in the prepared seafood mixture and half of the remaining shredded cheese.
- Stuff Potatoes: Generously fill each potato shell with the seafood and potato mixture. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of each stuffed potato.
- Bake Stuffed Potatoes: Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Arrange the stuffed potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions or chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot for best flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute crab meat with any seafood blend or even canned crab for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your preferred spice level.
- For a richer texture, use heavy cream instead of milk.
- These potatoes can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
- Leftover stuffed potatoes can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven.
