There are times when you want a meal that feels truly special, something that whispers of fine dining and coastal restaurants. Yet, especially on a beautiful June evening, you also want something that’s straightforward and won’t keep you in the kitchen all day. This Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe is the magnificent answer to that call. It is elegance and comfort, all held together in a perfect, edible package.

Imagine this: tender, sweet bell peppers, roasted until soft, acting as a natural bowl for the most incredible filling imaginable. We’re talking a rich, creamy blend of succulent, juicy shrimp and sweet, delicate lump crab meat, all bound together with savory seasonings and topped with a buttery, crisp breadcrumb crust. It’s a dish that is as visually stunning as it is delicious, perfect for a date night, a dinner party with friends, or any time you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary.

Why I Love This Recipe

What makes me adore this recipe is how it delivers a five-star restaurant experience with at-home ease. The combination of flavors is simply out of this world. The natural sweetness of the bell peppers and crab meat is perfectly complemented by the savory shrimp and the creamy, zesty filling. It’s a celebration of seafood that feels both luxurious and deeply satisfying.

It’s also a surprisingly versatile dish. You can serve smaller peppers as a hearty and impressive appetizer, or use large peppers for a complete, show-stopping main course. It looks like it took hours of complex work, but it comes together with surprising speed, leaving you more time to actually enjoy the beautiful summer evening.

Ingredients

This recipe uses high-quality ingredients for a truly luxurious result.

• 4 large Bell Peppers, any color, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb large Shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped
• 8 oz Lump Crab Meat, picked over for any shells
• 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs, divided
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 large Egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped Fresh Parsley
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter, melted

Swaps and Notes:

• Bell Peppers: I love using a mix of red, yellow, and orange peppers for a beautiful presentation. Red peppers tend to be the sweetest, while green peppers offer a more savory, slightly bitter note.
• The Crab Meat: For a truly special dish, fresh lump crab meat is worth the splurge. The big, tender chunks are incredible. However, you can also use claw meat or a good quality canned crab meat (drained well). I would advise against using imitation crab for this recipe, as the flavor and texture won’t be the same.
• The Shrimp: Use raw shrimp and chop it yourself. This ensures a much better texture than using pre-cooked shrimp.
• The Binder: Panko breadcrumbs provide a light, crispy texture. In a pinch, you can substitute with crushed Ritz crackers or regular breadcrumbs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the bell pepper halves, cut side up, in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the peppers have started to soften. This par-baking step is key to ensuring your peppers are tender and not crunchy.
2. Make the Filling: While the peppers are baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine the chopped raw shrimp, 1/2 cup of the Panko breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
3. Fold in the Crab: Gently fold the lump crab meat into the mixture. Be careful not to overmix or break up those beautiful chunks of crab.
4. Stuff the Peppers: Remove the par-baked peppers from the oven. Carefully spoon the seafood mixture into each pepper half, mounding it generously on top.
5. Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, toss the remaining 1/2 cup of Panko breadcrumbs with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated.
6. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the stuffed peppers.
7. Final Bake: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the filling is cooked through (the shrimp will be pink and opaque) and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with a little extra fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.

Tips for Success

1. Don’t Skip Par-Baking the Peppers: This is the most crucial step for achieving the perfect texture. Raw peppers will not have enough time to become tender and sweet while the filling cooks.
2. Be Gentle with the Lump Crab: You paid for those beautiful chunks of crab meat! Fold them in gently at the very end to keep them as intact as possible.
3. Don’t Overcook: The seafood filling cooks quickly. As soon as the shrimp are opaque and the topping is golden, they’re ready. Overcooking can lead to tough shrimp.

Serving Suggestions

These Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Peppers are a fantastic main course served alongside a simple rice pilaf, quinoa, or a fresh arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette. They also pair wonderfully with roasted asparagus or green beans.

Storage and Leftover Tips

• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Reheating: For the best results, reheat the stuffed peppers in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. This helps keep the topping crispy and prevents the seafood from getting rubbery, which can happen in a microwave.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoy hearty, savory dishes that are packed with flavor, you’ll love these other one-pan and casserole-style meals:

• For a taste of the South, this Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo is pure comfort.
• This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole is a weeknight dinner hero.
• For a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal, you can’t go wrong with these Chicken Enchiladas.
• Need to feed a crowd fast? These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are a genius trick.
• And for a quick dinner with big flavor, try this Tomato Skillet with Okra and Sausage.

Final Thoughts

This Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe is a perfect example of how you can create a truly elegant and memorable meal without a ton of fuss. It’s a dish that celebrates the sweet, delicate flavors of seafood in the most delicious way. I hope you’ll make it for your next special occasion and enjoy every single luxurious bite.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!