Welcome to the culinary world of Anne Carter, where every dish tells a story and every flavor evokes cherished memories. Today, I am excited to unveil a beloved family recipe that holds a special place in my heart and my kitchen. Crafted by my talented sister, this baked stuffed shrimp dish is a testament to the joys of homemade cooking.
As the aroma of seafood and spices wafts through your kitchen, prepare to embark on a culinary journey filled with flavor and tradition. Join me as I lift the lid on the secrets behind this savory creation, passed down through generations and now shared with you to savor and enjoy. Let’s delve into the world of baked stuffed shrimp and uncover the magic of simple ingredients coming together to create something truly extraordinary.
What is Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Baked stuffed shrimp is a delectable seafood dish that combines succulent shrimp with a flavorful stuffing mixture, baked to perfection. The dish typically starts with large shrimp that are split open and deveined, creating a cavity for the stuffing. The stuffing mixture often includes breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, spices, and sometimes diced vegetables or seafood such as crab meat or scallops. This mixture is then generously spooned into the shrimp cavities, filling them to the brim.
Once stuffed, the shrimp are arranged in a baking dish and baked in the oven until the shrimp are cooked and the stuffing is golden brown and crispy. The baking process allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious combination of savory and seafood flavors. Baked stuffed shrimp is often served as an elegant main course for special occasions or a delicious appetizer at gatherings and parties. It pairs well with sides like rice pilaf, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion.
Overview: How to make Baked Stuffed Shrimp?
To make stuffed shrimp, start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures the oven is ready for baking the shrimp perfectly. Then, coat a baking dish generously with cooking spray. This helps prevent the stuffed shrimp from sticking to the dish while baking and makes cleanup easier later on.
In a large bowl, mix together round crackers, finely chopped parsley, crushed saltines, celery salt, and minced garlic. This mixture forms the flavorful stuffing base. Add diced scallops, lump crabmeat, melted butter, and a splash of cooking wine to the bowl. Thoroughly combine all the ingredients until well mixed.
Next, prepare the shrimp by making a horizontal incision along the back of each shrimp, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently open up the shrimp to create a cavity for the stuffing. Repeat this process for all the shrimp. Then, take a heaping tablespoon of the prepared stuffing mixture and carefully fill each shrimp cavity, pressing lightly to ensure the stuffing stays in place.
Place the stuffed shrimp back-side up in the prepared baking dish. This allows the shrimp to cook evenly and showcases the presentation of the dish. Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom of the baking dish to create steam in the oven, keeping the shrimp moist during baking. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake the stuffed shrimp for 15 to 18 minutes, until they are cooked through and the stuffing begins to turn golden brown. Once baked, remove the stuffed shrimp from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy them as a delicious appetizer or a complete meal with your favorite side dishes. If you enjoy Shrimp dishes, give my Air Fryer Shrimp, Breaded Shrimp Recipe (Culinary Crunch), and
Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp.
More Shrimp Recipes you would love!
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Breaded Shrimp Recipe (Culinary Crunch)
- Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp
- Shrimp Toast Recipe
- Honey Walnut Shrimp Recipe
- Peel and Eat Shrimp Recipe
- Shrimp and Cod Recipe
- Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- BBQ Shrimp Recipe
Homemade Baked Stuffed Shrimp
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Dish
- Large Bowl
- Flat work surface
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Spoon
- Cooking spray
- Oven Mitts
- Serving Platter
Ingredients
- 2 packages buttery round crackers
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 5 saltine�
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 4 sea scallops
- 1/2 cup chopped imitation crabmeat
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup white cooking wine
- 1 jumbo shrimp
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures that your oven reaches the optimal temperature for baking the stuffed shrimp to perfection.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Coat a baking dish generously with cooking spray. This step prevents the stuffed shrimp from sticking to the dish during baking and makes cleanup easier afterwards.
- Mix the Stuffing Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine round crackers, finely chopped parsley, crushed saltines, a hint of celery salt, and minced garlic. This mixture forms the flavorful base of the stuffing. Add diced scallops, lump crabmeat, melted butter, and a splash of cooking wine. Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Prepare the Shrimp: Lay each shrimp flat on a clean work surface. Using a sharp knife, make a horizontal incision along the back of each shrimp, being careful not to cut all the way through. Gently open up the shrimp like a book, spreading out the halves to create a cavity for the stuffing. Repeat this process for all the shrimp.
- Stuff the Shrimp: Take a heaping tablespoon of the prepared stuffing mixture and carefully fill each shrimp cavity. Press down lightly to ensure the stuffing stays in place and the shrimp are evenly filled.
- Stuff the Shrimp: Take a heaping tablespoon of the prepared stuffing mixture and carefully fill each shrimp cavity. Press down lightly to ensure the stuffing stays in place and the shrimp are evenly filled.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Once stuffed, place the shrimp back-side up in the prepared baking dish. This not only showcases the presentation of the dish but also allows the shrimp to cook evenly.
- Add Water to the Baking Dish: Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of water into the bottom of the baking dish. This helps create steam in the oven, keeping the shrimp moist during baking and preventing them from drying out.
- Bake the Stuffed Shrimp: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake the stuffed shrimp for 15 to 18 minutes. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to ensure they are cooked through and the stuffing begins to turn golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once baked to perfection, remove the stuffed shrimp from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed as a delicious appetizer or served alongside your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Preheat oven to 375�F (190�C) and grease baking dish.
- Blend crackers, parsley, saltines, celery salt, garlic.
- Stir in scallops, crabmeat, butter, cooking wine for stuffing.
- Prepare shrimp, stuff with mixture.
- Place shrimp in baking dish.
- Pour water for steam, and bake 15-18 min.
���
-
Let it cool briefly before serving.�
Nutrition
Time For the Secret Tips!
- Arrange stuffed shrimp in a single layer in the baking dish for even cooking.
- Check shrimp for doneness by ensuring they’re opaque and firm to the touch.
- Baste stuffed shrimp with melted butter halfway through baking for added flavor and moisture.
- Sprinkle grated cheese over stuffed shrimp during the last few minutes of baking for a golden crust.
- Serve stuffed shrimp with dipping sauce such as cocktail sauce or garlic aioli for enhanced flavor.
What Goes Well With Baked Stuffed Shrimp?
Handling leftover Baked Stuffed Shrimp!
- Store in the refrigerator: Place the leftover baked stuffed shrimp in an airtight container and refrigerate promptly.
- Consume within 3 days: Aim to enjoy the leftovers within the next 2-3 days to ensure freshness and flavor.
- Reheating options: To reheat, use methods like the oven or toaster oven for a crispy exterior or a microwave for a quicker option.
- Avoid overcooking: Be cautious not to overcook during reheating to prevent the shrimp from becoming tough or dry.
- Preserve flavors: Consider reheating with a drizzle of broth or butter to maintain moisture and enhance flavors.
- Side dish pairings: Serve reheated stuffed shrimp with complementary sides like a fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Monitor quality: Keep an eye on the shrimp’s texture and flavor during reheating, adjusting time and temperature accordingly for optimal results.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q:1 Can I prepare the stuff ahead?
A. Absolutely, prepare the stuffing in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to stuff the shrimp, simplifying meal preparation.
Q:2 What can I use instead of round crackers?
A. Try breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers as alternatives, providing a similar texture and flavor to the stuffing mixture.
Q:3 How do I know when they’re done?
A. Look for opaque shrimp and a golden-brown crust on the stuffing, indicating that the shrimp are cooked through and the stuffing is heated.
Q:4 Can I freeze them?
A. Yes, you can freeze the stuffed shrimp before baking, ensuring you have a convenient and delicious meal option ready to go whenever you need it.
Q:5 What sides go well with stuffed shrimp?
A. Consider serving them with rice, steamed vegetables, or a crisp salad to complement the flavors of the stuffed shrimp and create a balanced meal.
Q:6 How do I keep stuffing from falling out?
A. Press the stuffing firmly into each shrimp cavity and arrange them back-side up in the baking dish to help secure the stuffing and prevent it from spilling out during baking.