Description
Succulent seafood stars in this Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe, blending coastal flavors with colorful bell pepper vessels. Rich maritime ingredients meld into a delightful dish that promises to elevate your dinner experience with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 0.5 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 0.5 pound lump crab meat
Base and Vegetables:
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1.5 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or quinoa)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (optional, for extra spice)
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 0.25 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace and preheat the oven to 375°F. Carefully trim bell peppers by removing their tops and seeds, ensuring they can stand upright on a baking dish.
- In a skillet heated to medium, quickly sauté shrimp in butter until they turn pink, approximately 2-3 minutes. Transfer cooked shrimp to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, soften onions, garlic, and celery with butter for 3-4 minutes. Enhance the mixture with Old Bay and Cajun seasonings to develop robust flavor profiles.
- Combine the seafood mixture in a large mixing bowl, incorporating cooked shrimp, crab meat, rice, sautéed vegetables, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Season with salt and pepper to create a harmonious blend.
- Carefully fill each bell pepper with the seafood stuffing, ensuring an even distribution. Optional: Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for added texture and golden-brown finish.
- Cover the stuffed peppers with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Uncover during the final 5 minutes to allow the tops to crisp and develop a light golden color.
- Allow the stuffed peppers to rest briefly after removing from the oven. Garnish with additional parsley and serve with lemon wedges for a bright, fresh presentation.
Notes
- Opt for firm, thick-walled bell peppers to prevent them from becoming soggy during baking.
- Choose fresh seafood and pat it dry to maintain the stuffing’s texture and prevent excess moisture.
- Consider using brown rice or quinoa for a healthier, more nutrient-dense alternative to white rice.
- Customize the seasoning blend to suit personal taste preferences or dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 90mg