Seafood Loaded Potato Pan

Seafood Loaded Potato Pan 🥔🦐🦀🧄

Dive into layers of indulgence with this Seafood Loaded Potato Pan — a creamy, cheesy, garlicky bake brimming with tender potatoes, juicy shrimp, crab meat, and a blend of melted cheeses. Perfect for seafood lovers and comfort food enthusiasts alike, this dish is rich, satisfying, and totally irresistible. Ideal for cozy dinners, potlucks, or special gatherings.

Ingredients:

For the Base:

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp paprika

Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Seafood Mix:

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

8 oz lump crab meat (or imitation crab)

2 tbsp butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

Juice of ½ lemon

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Cream Sauce:

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

For Topping:

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Fresh chopped chives or parsley

Extra cheddar for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   Toss the sliced potatoes in a bowl with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange them in a lightly greased 9×13 inch baking dish, overlapping slightly to form a base layer. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes or until just fork-tender.
2. Sauté the Seafood:
   While the potatoes are baking, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
   Add the shrimp and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque. Add the crab meat, lemon juice, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Stir gently, then remove from heat and set aside.
3. Make the Cream Sauce:
   In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
   Slowly pour in the heavy cream and milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in onion powder, smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.
   Reduce the heat and add the shredded mozzarella and cheddar. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   Once the potatoes are done pre-baking, remove the foil. Pour half of the cream sauce over the potatoes. Layer the cooked shrimp and crab mixture evenly on top. Pour the remaining cream sauce over the seafood layer.
5. Add the Toppings:
   Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, extra shredded cheddar (if desired), and a touch more Old Bay or paprika for color.
6. Bake:
   Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
7. Garnish and Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or chives before serving.

🍽️ Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 6

💡 Tip: Want to make it even more indulgent? Add crumbled bacon on top before baking!