This Seafood Stuffed Potatoes recipe is a rich, indulgent Southern-inspired dish filled with shrimp, crawfish, and an ultra-creamy cheese sauce. A tribute to the iconic Louisiana Gold restaurant, these overstuffed baked potatoes are comfort food at its finest. Perfect for special occasions or when you’re craving something decadently delicious.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Potatoes:

• 4 large baking-size Russet potatoes

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• Chives or green onions (for garnish)

For the Seafood Filling:

• 1 lb crawfish tails (drained of fat)

• 1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)

• 2 tbsp onion powder (divided)

• 2 tbsp liquid crab boil

For the Sauce:

• 1 stick butter (divided)

• 2 tbsp minced garlic

• 4 tbsp flour

• 2½ cups half and half

• 2 cups shredded American cheese (Velveeta or similar)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the Potatoes:

   • Wash and scrub potatoes thoroughly. Poke holes with a fork for venting.

   • Bake at 400°F for 40–50 minutes or microwave using the “potato” setting until fork-tender.

   • Carefully cut a slit down each potato and scoop out the insides into a bowl, keeping skins intact.

2. Prepare the Potato Base:

   • Mix the scooped potato with cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover to keep warm.

3. Cook the Seafood:

   • In a bowl, season shrimp and crawfish with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tbsp onion powder, and 1 tbsp crab boil.

   • Melt half the butter in a saucepan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add seafood and cook 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

   • Reserve the liquid left in the pot.

4. Make the Cheese Sauce:

   • In the same pan, melt the remaining butter and whisk in flour until smooth.

   • Pour in the reserved seafood liquid and half and half while whisking. Simmer.

   • Stir in remaining Cajun seasoning and onion powder.

   • Add all cheeses and stir until melted and smooth. Return seafood to sauce and warm through.

5. Assemble the Stuffed Potatoes:

   • Spoon potato mixture back into skins.

   • Sprinkle mozzarella over each potato.

   • Ladle seafood cheese sauce on top.

   • Garnish with chives or green onions.

Nutrients (Estimated per stuffed potato)

• Calories: ~700–850 kcal

• Protein: ~35–45g

• Fat: ~45g

• Carbohydrates: ~50g

• Sodium: High (due to cheese and seasoning)

• Fiber: ~3g

• Sugars: ~4g

A Celebration of Southern Flavors

At the heart of this dish is the unmistakable influence of Louisiana cuisine—a bold, flavorful blend of Cajun and Creole traditions that celebrate seafood, spice, and creamy richness. The combination of shrimp and crawfish tails gives this recipe a distinct Southern flair, while the addition of liquid crab boil and Cajun seasoning infuses every bite with authentic Louisiana heat and depth.

The creamy cheese sauce is not just a topping—it’s the soul of the recipe. Built on a classic roux and enhanced with half and half, garlic, and a medley of melty American, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan cheeses, this sauce is velvety, savory, and loaded with umami from the seafood juices. Poured over the crispy-edged baked potatoes and broiled until bubbly, it becomes the star of the dish.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe brings balance to richness and spice, creating a dish that’s flavorful but not overwhelming. The baked potatoes offer a mild, fluffy base that soaks up the seafood sauce beautifully, while the cheese and cream deliver a comforting, indulgent mouthfeel. The shrimp and crawfish introduce a meaty texture and subtle sweetness that contrasts well with the tang of garlic, onion powder, and crab boil spices.

A major reason this recipe shines is because every component is cooked with intention. From the seasoned seafood to the roux-thickened sauce and the seasoned mashed potato base, every step adds flavor. The final product is a cohesive, ultra-flavorful dish that’s more than the sum of its parts.

Perfect for Special Occasions or Cozy Nights In

Though it feels fancy and festive, these Seafood Stuffed Potatoes are surprisingly accessible. They’re great for holidays, dinner parties, Sunday suppers, or a memorable date night at home. Each stuffed potato is essentially a self-contained meal—protein-rich, hearty, and packed with bold flavor.

If you’re entertaining, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. Serve it on a platter with garnishes like green onions or fresh chives, and it’ll look like something straight from a high-end Southern bistro. For casual nights, pair it with a green salad or steamed vegetables for a cozy, well-rounded dinner.

Flavor Profile and Texture

The flavor of this dish is complex yet approachable. The creamy cheese sauce is rich but balanced by the tang of garlic and the zip of Cajun seasoning. The seafood adds a mild brininess and tender texture, while the baked potato flesh is fluffy, buttery, and lightly seasoned. The seafood juices, saved and used in the sauce, intensify the flavor without overpowering the natural sweetness of the shrimp and crawfish.

Texturally, it’s a dream. You get crispy potato skin, soft mashed potato interior, chunks of shrimp and crawfish, and gooey, stretchy cheese layered throughout. When broiled, the mozzarella on top gets bubbly and golden, adding another layer of texture that’s lightly crispy and intensely satisfying.

Nutritional Insights and Richness

As expected from a dish this luxurious, Seafood Stuffed Potatoes are indulgent. Each serving clocks in at around 700–850 calories, making it a full, hearty meal on its own. It’s rich in protein (35–45g per serving) thanks to the seafood and cheese, and also provides a good amount of calcium and B vitamins.

However, it is higher in sodium and fat, especially with the cheese and seafood seasoning involved. This makes it ideal as an occasional indulgence or celebratory dish, rather than an everyday option. To make it lighter, you could reduce the cheese by half, use low-fat cream cheese, or swap half and half for milk and a cornstarch slurry.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the great things about this recipe is that it’s make-ahead friendly. You can bake the potatoes, prepare the seafood filling, and even make the cheese sauce in advance. Assemble everything up to the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate until ready to heat and serve.

It also freezes well. Wrap the assembled but unbaked stuffed potatoes in foil and freeze for up to a month. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake at 375°F until heated through.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2–3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave. The flavor tends to deepen with time, making the dish even more delicious the next day.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

While the stuffed potatoes are a complete meal on their own, you can round out the plate with light sides to balance the richness. Here are a few ideas:

• A tangy coleslaw with vinegar-based dressing

• Steamed green beans or asparagus with lemon zest

• A crisp arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette

• Cornbread or crusty French bread to sop up extra sauce

For beverages, consider a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, a citrusy sparkling water, or even a Southern-style sweet tea with lemon.

Customizations and Variations

There are plenty of ways to tweak this recipe to your taste or pantry:

• Swap proteins: Use crab meat, scallops, or even chicken if shrimp or crawfish aren’t available.

• Add heat: Include hot sauce in the sauce or sprinkle cayenne pepper into the cheese mix for a spicier bite.

• Use different cheeses: Try smoked gouda, cheddar, or pepper jack for a different flavor twist.

• Add veggies: Stir in sautéed spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition and texture.

• Go low-carb: Instead of potatoes, serve the seafood cheese sauce over roasted cauliflower or spaghetti squash.

Conclusion

Seafood Stuffed Potatoes are a Southern comfort dish at its most indulgent—a rich blend of creamy cheeses, succulent shrimp and crawfish, and fluffy baked potatoes all brought together in a decadent, spicy sauce. Whether you’re cooking to impress or treating yourself to something special, this recipe delivers big flavors and even bigger satisfaction. It’s warm, cheesy, comforting, and just the right amount of fancy to feel like a true occasion on a plate.

If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing, belly-warming dish, this one’s hard to beat. From its melt-in-your-mouth filling to its crispy edges and bold Cajun kick, this Louisiana-inspired masterpiece is sure to become a repeat favorite in any kitchen that loves flavor, comfort, and Southern flair.