This recipe is not your ordinary baked potato! It’s a flavor explosion with perfectly crispy skin, fluffy mashed potato filling, juicy Cajun shrimp, and a creamy, decadent sauce – all topped with a four-cheese blend.
Weeknight dinners can be a struggle. You’re tired, maybe a little hangry, and the idea of staring at a fridge full of odds and ends hoping for inspiration is enough to make you order takeout. But what if I told you there was a recipe that could turn those leftover ingredients and a bag of frozen shrimp into a restaurant-worthy feast?
This isn’t your average loaded baked potato. This is a flavor bomb with a capital B. Imagine perfectly crisp, salty skin giving way to a fluffy mashed potato interior that’s been kissed with butter and cream. Then comes the real star: plump, juicy shrimp seasoned with a kick of Cajun spice. A creamy sauce with a touch of smokiness from the cooked shrimp bits finishes it all off, and a blanket of melty cheese ties everything together.
This recipe is my weeknight savior. It’s surprisingly easy to throw together, uses ingredients you probably already have on hand (or can easily grab from the store), and leaves you feeling satisfied without the guilt of an unhealthy takeout splurge. Plus, there’s something undeniably comforting about a hot, cheesy potato – especially when it’s dressed up with all the fixings. So ditch the delivery menus and give this Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Loaded Baked Potato a try. Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Flavorful Cajun Shrimp: The shrimp is seasoned with a blend of spices for a delicious Cajun kick.
- Creamy Filling: The mashed potato filling is infused with melted butter, heavy cream, and cheese for an unbelievably rich and creamy texture.
- Loaded with Goodies: This recipe is anything but skimpy. It’s loaded with succulent shrimp, a creamy sauce, and plenty of cheese.
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite baked potato toppings like bacon bits, chives, or sour cream.
Ingredients
- 2 Russet potatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt
- 1 lb deveined and cleaned shrimp
- ½ cup chopped bell peppers
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon each: onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, dried parsley
- 16 oz four Mexican cheese blend (divided)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry the potatoes. Poke holes with a fork and rub with olive oil and salt. Wrap each potato in foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until tender.
- While the potatoes bake, prepare the shrimp. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil and your favorite Cajun seasoning blend (the recipe suggests onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, and dried parsley).
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes per side, just until pink and cooked through. Don’t overcook!
- In the same skillet (to capture all the delicious shrimp flavor bits), melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chopped onions and bell peppers, and cook until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and add a teaspoon of Creole seasoning (or your preferred cajun seasoning). Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and unwrap them. Let them cool slightly before cutting them open and scooping out the flesh into a bowl.
- In the bowl with the mashed potato, add 2 tablespoons of butter, ½ cup of cheese, and a splash of heavy cream. Use a fork to mash everything together until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Now comes the fun part – assembling! Fill the potato skins with the mashed potato mixture. Top with the cooked shrimp, some of the creamy sauce, and more cheese.
- Place the stuffed potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for an additional 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- (Optional) Drizzle with additional lemon pepper butter for extra flavor.
- Serve immediately and enjoy this restaurant-worthy loaded baked potato experience from the comfort of your own home!
