Description
This Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Peppers recipe features colorful bell peppers filled with a savory blend of lump crab meat, chopped shrimp, cream cheese, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Enhanced with sautéed garlic and onion, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon juice, this dish bakes to golden perfection, making an impressive and delicious seafood entrée perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
Seafood Filling
- 1 cup lump crab meat, drained and picked over for shells
- 1 cup shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably seasoned)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (or other fresh herbs like dill or chives)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking and brushing peppers)
Instructions
- Prepping the Peppers: Cut the tops off each bell pepper and carefully remove seeds and membranes to create hollow vessels. Brush the outer sides and insides of the peppers with olive oil. Arrange the peppers upright in a baking dish to prepare for filling and baking.
- Preparing the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Transfer this mixture to a large bowl and combine with softened cream cheese, lump crab meat, chopped shrimp, seasoned breadcrumbs, lemon juice, fresh chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a uniform filling.
- Stuffing the Peppers: Spoon the seafood filling into each hollowed bell pepper, pressing down gently to pack the mixture well without overfilling. Make sure the filling is evenly distributed among the peppers.
- Baking the Stuffed Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the baking dish with the stuffed peppers in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the tops of the filling are golden brown and slightly crisp.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan or coconut-based alternative.
- You can use different colored bell peppers to add visual appeal and subtle flavor variations.
- Ensure crab meat is well drained and checked for shells to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs enhance flavor but plain breadcrumbs can be used with additional seasoning.
- Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.
