Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Get ready to meet your new obsession: the Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. Imagine a crisp, toasted sourdough boule brimming with a rich, creamy medley of shrimp, crab, and scallops, all bubbling beneath a golden layer of melty cheese. This showstopper isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience—perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a cozy, restaurant-worthy dinner at home. Every bite is a celebration of buttery seafood flavor, mellowed by sweet bell peppers and a kick of Old Bay, all hugged by the irresistible crunch of fresh bread. If you’re craving something indulgent, comforting, and unforgettable, you’re in exactly the right place.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for this Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is refreshingly simple, but each component plays a crucial role. You’ll find that every item, from the fresh seafood to the aromatic veggies and zesty spices, brings something special—whether it’s flavor, texture, color, or that irresistible cheesy finish.
- Sourdough bread boules: Choose small, round loaves for the perfect edible bowl that stays sturdy and soaks up all the creamy goodness.
- Olive oil: A drizzle to sauté the veggies and seafood, adding depth and a hint of fruitiness to the filling.
- Onion: Finely chopped for a subtle sweetness and savory backbone to the seafood mixture.
- Garlic: Minced for that unmistakable, aromatic punch that ties all the flavors together.
- Red bell pepper: Adds vibrant color and a gentle, sweet crunch to every bite.
- Celery: Lends a mild earthiness and delightful texture to the filling.
- Shrimp: Chopped, peeled, and deveined—bringing a tender, juicy bite and mild brininess.
- Lump crabmeat: Picked clean for sweet, delicate flavor and a touch of luxury.
- Scallops: Chopped for a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth addition that pairs perfectly with the other seafood.
- Butter: Used to make the roux, adding richness to the creamy sauce.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for thickening the sauce to the perfect, scoopable consistency.
- Seafood or chicken stock: Enhances the overall flavor and keeps the filling luscious and moist.
- Heavy cream: For that silky, decadent mouthfeel—feel free to add extra for even more creaminess.
- Old Bay seasoning: The classic seafood spice that brings warmth and unmistakable flavor.
- Smoked paprika: Adds subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the sauce.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): For those who love a gentle kick of heat.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste and bring all the flavors into harmony.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for that signature ooey-gooey cheese pull.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharpness and a lovely golden top when baked.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped and sprinkled for a pop of color and freshness.
- Lemon wedges: Served on the side to brighten up the richness and balance the flavors.
How to Make Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Toast the Bread Bowls
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully slice the tops off your sourdough boules and hollow out the centers, leaving about half an inch of bread around the sides and bottom. This creates the perfect sturdy vessel for your seafood filling—don’t toss those bread centers, by the way, they’re delicious for dipping later! Place the bread bowls on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes until they’re lightly crisp. This step keeps your bowls from getting soggy once filled.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics and Veggies
While the bread is toasting, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant—about 5 minutes. This aromatic base sets the stage for the seafood and ensures your Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is packed with flavor in every spoonful.
Step 3: Cook the Seafood
Add your chopped shrimp, crabmeat, and scallops to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring gently, just until the seafood turns opaque and is cooked through. Avoid overcooking; you want the shrimp and scallops to stay tender and juicy. Once done, transfer the seafood and veggies to a plate and set them aside for a moment.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for about a minute to form a roux—this is what will make your sauce luxuriously thick. Gradually pour in the seafood (or chicken) stock, whisking as you go, until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, Old Bay, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, tasting as you go for the perfect balance.
Step 5: Combine, Fill, and Top with Cheese
Return the seafood and vegetables to the skillet, stirring everything together so the sauce coats every bite. Remove from the heat and mix in half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese—this gives the filling that wonderful stretchiness and creaminess. Now, spoon the seafood mixture generously into each toasted bread bowl, piling it high. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining cheese for that irresistible, melty finish.
Step 6: Bake Until Bubbly
Place the filled bread bowls back on the baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling invitingly. The bread bowls will be perfectly crisp on the outside and steamy-soft inside, cradling that indulgent seafood filling.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Remove your Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe from the oven. Shower with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side. The citrus brightens and cuts through the richness—don’t skip it!
How to Serve Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe

Garnishes
Finish your bread bowls with a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Lemon wedges on the side are essential—just a little squeeze transforms each bite, adding brightness and balancing the creamy, cheesy filling. For a little extra flair, a dusting of Old Bay or a pinch of smoked paprika on top can make your Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe look as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This dish is rich and hearty, so lighter sides are your friend. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is perfect for cutting through the decadence. Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or even a simple cucumber salad all pair beautifully, complementing the flavors without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow your guests, serve each bread bowl on individual wooden boards or shallow soup plates. Scatter extra parsley and lemon wedges around for a bistro-style look. For parties, try making mini versions using dinner rolls. Or, for a dramatic touch, serve the Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe family-style on a large platter, surrounded by the bread “lids” for dipping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare!), let the bread bowls cool completely. Wrap each one tightly in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The bread will soften a bit, but the flavors meld even more, making for an extra comforting next-day meal.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze the seafood filling separately in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and assemble fresh bread bowls before baking. Freezing assembled bread bowls isn’t recommended, as the bread can become overly soggy once thawed.
Reheating
To reheat, place the stuffed bread bowl (unwrapped) on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is bubbly again. Avoid the microwave if possible—it can make the bread chewy—though reheating just the filling in a skillet works well for smaller portions.
FAQs
Can I use different types of seafood in this recipe?
Absolutely! The beauty of the Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is its flexibility. Try swapping in cooked lobster, diced white fish, or even mussels. Just make sure your seafood is cooked through but not overdone for the best texture.
Is there a dairy-free version of this dish?
Yes, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a plant-based cream alternative, and use your favorite dairy-free cheeses. The result will be slightly different in flavor but still delicious and creamy.
What if I can’t find sourdough boules?
If small sourdough boules are unavailable, any sturdy, round bread loaf will work—just make sure it’s dense enough to hold the filling. Even large dinner rolls or mini ciabatta loaves can be transformed into perfect individual bread bowls.
Can I prepare the seafood filling ahead of time?
Definitely! The seafood filling can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. When you’re ready, simply assemble your bread bowls, top with cheese, and bake. This makes the Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe a fantastic choice for entertaining.
How do I prevent the bread bowls from getting soggy?
Toasting the bread bowls before filling them is key. This creates a protective barrier and keeps your Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe crisp on the outside, even after soaking up all that luscious filling.
Final Thoughts
If you
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Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl recipe combines tender shrimp, crabmeat, and scallops in a creamy, spiced sauce, all baked inside a crisp sourdough bread round. Perfect as a hearty main course, this dish boasts rich flavors enhanced by smoky paprika and Old Bay seasoning, topped with melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses for a comforting meal perfect for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Bread Bowls
- 4 small round sourdough bread boules
Seafood and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 pound lump crabmeat, picked through for shells
- 1/2 pound scallops, chopped
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups seafood stock or chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese and Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread Bowls: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the tops off the sourdough bread boules and hollow out the centers, leaving about 1/2 inch of bread around the sides and bottom. Place the bread bowls on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8–10 minutes until they are lightly crisp, setting the stage for a sturdy, flavorful vessel for your seafood filling.
- Sauté the Vegetables: While the bread is toasting, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until they are softened and aromatic, forming the flavorful base of the filling.
- Cook the Seafood: Add the chopped shrimp, crabmeat, and scallops to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the seafood is just opaque and cooked through. Remove this mixture from the skillet and set it aside temporarily, preserving its delicate texture and flavor.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a roux. Slowly whisk in the seafood or chicken stock, continuing to cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and season with Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to taste, crafting a creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Combine Seafood and Sauce: Return the sautéed seafood and vegetables to the skillet, stirring to coat everything evenly with the sauce. Remove the skillet from heat and mix in half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, ensuring a cheesy, luscious filling.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the seafood mixture into the toasted bread bowls, then top each generously with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Return the filled bread bowls to the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes until the cheese melts fully, bubbling and turning golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bread bowls from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side to add a bright, fresh citrus contrast to this rich and comforting seafood dish.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, increase the heavy cream to 3/4 cup.
- You can prepare the seafood filling ahead of time and assemble the bread bowls just before baking.
- Serve with a fresh side salad for a complete, balanced meal.
- If you prefer milder heat, omit the cayenne pepper.
- Use fresh seafood for best flavor, but frozen thawed seafood can also be used.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1120mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 190mg