Craving Comfort Food? Indulge in a Loaded Seafood Potato with Crawfish, Queso, and Sausage

Photo byVal Reed

When you think of ultimate comfort food, what comes to mind? Picture this: a perfectly baked russet potato, loaded with tender crawfish tails, succulent snow crab meat, and spicy Andouille sausage, all drenched in a creamy queso sauce. This loaded seafood potato isn't just a meal—it's an experience of rich flavors and textures, all coming together in one satisfying dish.

A dish like this brings together the best of seafood and comfort food in a way that's unforgettable. The smoky spice of the sausage complements the sweetness of the crab and crawfish, while the fluffy potato and smooth, cheesy queso sauce balance everything out. Whether you're planning a cozy night in or want to impress guests at a gathering, this loaded seafood potato will surely be the star of the table.

Loaded Seafood Potato Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Potatoes:

• 4 large russet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Seafood and Sausage Filling:

• 1 pound crawfish tails, cooked and peeled
• 1 pound snow crab meat, cooked and removed from the shell
• 1/2 pound sausage, sliced (Andouille or smoked sausage works well)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Queso Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Garnishes:

• Additional sliced green onions
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Potatoes:
2. • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
   • Scrub the potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry.
   • Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
   • Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Prepare the Filling:
4. • While the potatoes are baking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
   • Add the sliced sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, green onions, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
   • Add the crawfish tails and snow crab meat to the skillet. Cook until heated through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Prepare the Queso Sauce:
6. • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
   • Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until it forms a paste.
   • Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
   • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Continue to stir until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
   • Add the garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
7. Assemble the Loaded Seafood Potatoes:
8. • When the potatoes are done baking, let them cool slightly, then cut a slit down the center of each potato and gently fluff the insides with a fork.
   • Spoon a generous amount of the seafood and sausage filling into each potato.
   • Drizzle the queso sauce over the top of the filled potatoes.
   • Garnish with additional sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
   • Serve with lemon wedges on the side for an added burst of flavor.

Every bite of this loaded seafood potato is a perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and savory. The crawfish and crab bring the freshness of the sea, while the sausage adds a smoky depth. Topped with queso and a hint of lemon, it’s a dish that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Here's a rich and flavorful Loaded Seafood Potato recipe that blends crawfish, snow crab meat, sausage, and a creamy queso sauce. This dish makes for a hearty meal, combining the smoky flavor of sausage with the sweet, delicate seafood.

To create the dish, you'll want to start by baking russet potatoes until they are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Meanwhile, prepare the filling with sautéed sausage, onions, garlic, tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and your seafood of choice—such as crawfish tails and snow crab meat.

The key to this recipe is also the decadent queso sauce, made by melting cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses into a roux, and seasoning it with garlic powder and other spices. Once the potatoes are baked, you fluff the insides and load them with the seafood mixture before drizzling the queso on top. Garnish with green onions and serve with lemon wedges for an added burst of flavor.

This dish can be customized easily. Some variations include using shrimp or lobster as the main seafood component or adding different types of cheese for a unique twist. For an extra touch of richness, many recipes suggest finishing the potatoes with a Cajun cream sauce made from butter, cream, and Old Bay seasoning​(The Fork Bite)​(Welcome - CookWithCi).

For more details and variations on this recipe, you can explore The Fork Bite and CookWithCi.

Enjoy your cooking!