Introduction
These seafood-stuffed potatoes take the concept of twice-baked potatoes to a whole new level. Bursting with delicious seafood, aromatic spices, and a zesty Cajun cream sauce, these potatoes are a treat for the taste buds.
Discovering the Best Stuffed Potatoes
I have always enjoyed experimenting with stuffed potatoes, trying out various combinations over the years. Recently, I decided to give them a seafood twist, and it turned out to be the best version I have ever made.
Seafood Stuffed Potatoes: A Perfect Pairing
Inspired by my seafood pot pie recipe on this site, these seafood stuffed potatoes pair exceptionally well with our butter poached lobster, fried lobster tails, and our delectable broccoli salad recipe.
Ingredients: Simple and Accessible
This recipe features a list of simple ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store.
For the Potatoes
- Russet potatoes
- Truffle oil
- Sea salt flakes
- Coarse black pepper
- Cream cheese
- Salted butter
- Garlic paste
- Crab meat
- Red pepper flakes
- Blackened seasoning
For the Blackened Shrimp
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Blackened seasoning
- Small shrimp
- Green onions
For the Cajun Cream Sauce
- Butter
- All-purpose flour
- Chili paste
- Heavy cream
- Monterey Jack cheese
For exact quantities, refer to the recipe card at the end of the post.
Instructions: Easy and Flavorful
Don’t be fooled by the impressive appearance of this recipe. It is actually quite simple to make, requiring just a few easy steps.
Step 1: Baking the Potatoes
- Wash and dry the potatoes, and then pierce them several times with a fork.
- Brush the potato skins with truffle oil and season with sea salt and black pepper.
- Bake the potatoes at 350 degrees for about an hour.
Step 2: Scooping Out the Potatoes
- Let the baked potatoes cool for about 5 minutes.
- Slice the potatoes lengthwise and scoop out the insides with a spoon, transferring the potato flesh to a bowl.
- Leave a thin layer of potato on the inside of the skin.
Step 3: Creating the Seafood Mixture
- Add softened cream cheese, butter, garlic paste, minced crab, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and blackened seasoning to the bowl with the potatoes.
- Mix the ingredients using a hand mixer until the seafood sauce becomes smooth.
Step 4: Baking the Potatoes Again
- Spoon the seafood mixture back into the potato shells or halves.
- Bake the potatoes again at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Preparing the Cajun Cream Sauce
- Heat a saucepan over medium heat.
- Melt the butter in the saucepan and whisk in the flour until it starts to bubble.
- Add the chili paste and cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly add the cream while whisking constantly until it comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cheese and Cajun seasoning.
Step 6: Making the Blackened Shrimp
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet over high heat.
- Toss the shrimp with olive oil and blackened seasoning.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and sear for 1 minute on each side, then remove from heat.
Step 7: Serving
- Place the blackened shrimp on top of the potatoes.
- Drizzle the Cajun cream sauce or Cajun cheese sauce over the shrimp.
- Garnish with green onions and serve!
Hint: Keep the shrimp cooking time to just 1 minute per side to avoid overcooking.
Substitutions: Personalize to Your Taste
Don’t have all the ingredients on hand or want to switch things up? Here are some helpful tips for customizing your seafood stuffed potatoes.
- Chives can be used instead of green onions.
- Feel free to use your favorite cheese if Monterey Jack is not available.
- White, red-skinned, or yellow-fleshed potatoes can replace Russet potatoes.
- Avocado oil, olive oil, or other similar oils can substitute truffle oil.
- Kosher salt or another coarse salt can be used instead of sea salt flakes.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper to suit your taste.
- Marscapone, Greek yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, or ricotta cheese can be used as alternatives to cream cheese.
- For unsalted butter, add ¼ teaspoon salt for every half a cup used.
- Garlic paste can be substituted with minced garlic, dehydrated garlic, or garlic powder.
- Imitation or mock crab, pollack, haddock, white fish, or tofu can be used instead of crab meat.
- Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce can replace red pepper flakes, or you can add sliced jalapenos or other hot peppers for an extra kick.
- Cajun seasoning or other similar spicy seasonings can substitute blackened seasoning.
- Tomato paste, ketchup blended with cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, curry paste, or wasabi paste can replace chili paste.
- Chives can be used instead of green onions.
- Havarti cheese, gouda, edam, colby, muenster, parmesan, or cheddar cheese can be used in place of Monterey Jack.
- Canola oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, or sunflower oil can replace extra virgin olive oil.
- Mussels, scallops, squid, clams, crayfish, or lobster can substitute shrimp.
Variations: Personalize Your Seafood Baked Potatoes
Looking to put your own twist on these seafood baked potatoes? Here are some variations to consider:
- Kid-Friendly Version: Omit the red pepper flakes and chili paste to create a mild version that will be enjoyed by everyone, especially kids.
- Seafood Explosion: Enhance the flavor by adding minced mussels, scallops, squid, clams, crayfish, or lobster to the potato mixture.
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like our shrimp stuffed salmon, the best crab cakes, or our irresistibly delicious seafood dip.
Looking for ideas on what to serve alongside these potatoes? Check out our list of favorites in our “What to Serve with Gumbo” guide.
Make sure to explore our other russet potato recipes too. You’ll surely find something that speaks to your heart and your taste buds!
Storage: Enjoy for Days
Store the stuffed potatoes in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Additionally, you can store any leftover shrimp and sauce in separate airtight containers for an equally delicious meal later on.
Tips for the Perfect Seafood Stuffed Potatoes
To ensure the best results with this seafood stuffed potato recipe, here are some simple yet effective tips:
- When cooking the shrimp, high heat and short cooking time are crucial. Only cook them for 1 minute per side to prevent overcooking.
- Whisk continuously when making the sauce to prevent sticking or scorching.
- After handling hot peppers, always wash your hands thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you have any questions about these seafood baked potatoes, here are some common queries:
More Potato Recipes to Try
If you’re a potato lover, here are a few more recipes you might want to explore:
- Baked Parmesan Potato Halves
- Pepper Jack Potato Casserole
- Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole
Conclusion
Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure with these seafood-stuffed potatoes? Remember, you can always print this recipe if you’d like to have it on hand while cooking.
Barrels of fun and a burst of flavor await you at Hook’d Up Bar and Grill!