Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe

Oh, I can’t wait to tell you about this Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe—it’s one of those dishes that feels like a special occasion every time you make it. The shrimp are perfectly tender, while the crab-spinach-cheese filling adds this rich, savory depth that just melts in your mouth. And that garlic butter dill sauce? It ties everything together with a fresh, buttery zing that makes you want to savor every bite.

This recipe really shines when you need to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. I’ve served it for dinner parties and cozy family meals alike, and it always gets the “wow, where did you get this?” reaction. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to make, which means you can enjoy that gourmet feeling with less fuss—trust me, your taste buds and your family will thank you!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe plays a crucial role in layering flavors and textures. Picking fresh shrimp and quality crab meat makes a noticeable difference, and the combination of creamy, cheesy filling with herbs and spices really elevates the dish.

• Shrimp: Look for large, 16-20 count, deveined, and butterflied shrimp for the perfect balance of size and tenderness.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky depth to the seasoning.
• Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend that enhances the natural flavors.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Key aromatics that build the savory base.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds an herbal brightness.
• Crab Meat: Lump or claw meat works—choose fresh or high-quality canned for best results.
• Cooked Spinach: Strain well to avoid soggy filling.
• Chopped Artichokes: Adds a lovely tang and texture contrast.
• Mayo (or Sour Cream, Cream Cheese): Binds the filling while keeping it creamy.
• Dijon Mustard: A little tang that balances richness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a savory umami punch.
• Italian Breadcrumbs: Helps firm up the filling and adds mild crunch.
• Cheese: Mozzarella and pepper jack combo offers gooey melt with a subtle kick.
• Minced Garlic & Dried Herbs: Boosts garlicky, herby goodness.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: A fresh citrus lift that brightens the whole dish.
• Butter (for sauce): Unsalted for control over seasoning and richness.
• Fresh Dill: Adds a fragrant, slightly sweet herbal note essential for the sauce.

Variations

I love playing around with this Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe depending on what I have on hand or the mood I’m in. Don’t be afraid to swap ingredients or tweak the flavors to suit your taste—it’s all about making it your own.

• Variation: Sometimes, I swap the mozzarella for cheddar or gouda to add a smokier twist, which pairs beautifully with the smoked paprika.
• For a lighter version: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for the filling—still creamy but cuts down on richness.
• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or muddle some fresh jalapeño into the filling for a nice heat kick.
• Herb swap: If you don’t have dill, fresh parsley or tarragon make great alternatives in the sauce.

How to Make Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Shrimp

Start by peeling and deveining the shrimp if they’re not already done. Butterfly them carefully by slicing along the back, but don’t cut all the way through—you want a little pocket to stuff that amazing filling. Pat them dry and toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper. This seasoning blend coats the shrimp beautifully and sets the stage for bold flavors.

Step 2: Mix the Filling

In a bowl, combine the crab meat, cooked spinach (make sure you squeeze out any extra water!), chopped artichokes, and your choice of mayo. Stir in Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Italian breadcrumbs, chopped garlic, dried herbs, lemon juice, zest, and shredded cheese. Give it a good mix—this filling should be creamy but hold together enough to stay inside the shrimp.

Step 3: Stuff and Secure

Gently open each butterflied shrimp and fill it generously with the crab-spinach-cheese mixture. I find using a small spoon or even my fingers works best for this step. To keep the filling in, you can skewer the shrimp with toothpicks or arrange them snugly in your baking dish. This helps the shrimp stay intact during cooking.

Step 4: Bake the Shrimp

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the stuffed shrimp for about 15-18 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and opaque and the filling is bubbly and golden. Keep an eye on them so the cheese doesn’t burn—if it’s browning too fast, lower the heat or cover loosely with foil.

Step 5: Make the Garlic Butter Dill Sauce

While the shrimp bake, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and let it gently sizzle until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes—don’t let it brown! Stir in fresh dill and remove from heat. This sauce is so simple but adds a rich, herbal note that you’ll want to drizzle over every bite.

How to Serve Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

I always top the finished dish with a little extra fresh dill and a sprinkle of lemon zest to brighten it up right before serving. Sometimes I add a dash of freshly cracked black pepper or thin slices of fresh garlic for extra personality. These simple touches make it look as good as it tastes!

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with light, fresh sides. I often serve it alongside garlic roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette to keep things balanced. Creamy risotto or garlic mashed potatoes also make perfect comforting complements, especially if you’re serving a crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress at your next dinner party, try serving the stuffed shrimp on a bed of wilted baby spinach or alongside lemon wedges arranged on a stylish platter. For a fun twist, you could also serve them in individual mini cast iron skillets or layered over linguine tossed lightly in the garlic butter dill sauce. Presentation can really elevate this dish!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making second-day eating just as good as the first. Just keep the garlic butter dill sauce separate if you plan to store it, to keep everything fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both the baked stuffed shrimp and the filling separately on occasion. Wrap them tightly and freeze up to 1 month. When you want to enjoy it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven to preserve texture and flavor. The sauce is best made fresh, but you can freeze leftover butter sauce in small portions too.

Reheating

To reheat, the oven is your best friend—set it to 325°F (160°C) and warm the shrimp covered with foil for 10-15 minutes until heated through without drying out. Microwave works in a pinch, but it’s easy to overcook shrimp that way. Drizzle the garlic butter dill sauce on top after reheating for that fresh finish.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to dishes when I want something that’s both fancy and comforting. It’s the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel like an event and gives you a chance to show off a little in the kitchen without stress. I’m positive you’ll enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your home too!

Stuffed Shrimp with Crab, Spinach, and Cheese in Garlic Butter Dill Sauce Recipe

★★★★★ 4.7 from 53 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Seafood
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This Stuffed Shrimp recipe features large shrimp butterflied and filled with a decadent mixture of crab meat, spinach, artichokes, cheese, and flavorful seasonings, then baked to perfection. Accompanied by a rich garlic butter dill sauce, it makes for a delightful appetizer or main course with a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and creamy flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Shrimp

• 2 lbs 16-20 Shrimp, deveined and butterflied
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Filling

• 8 oz lump or claw crab meat (optional)
• 1 cup cooked spinach, strained and chopped
• 6 oz artichokes, strained and chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise (can substitute sour cream or cream cheese)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• 8 oz cheese (mozzarella and pepper jack blend)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp dried herbs (such as Italian seasoning)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon

Garlic Butter Dill Sauce

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Shrimp: Begin by deveining and butterflying the shrimp, ensuring they open up enough to hold the filling. In a bowl, combine the smoked paprika, olive oil, Old Bay, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Toss the shrimp gently in this seasoning mixture to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate briefly while preparing the filling.
2. Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the lump or claw crab meat (if using), chopped cooked spinach, chopped artichokes, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Italian breadcrumbs, shredded mozzarella and pepper jack cheese, minced garlic, dried herbs, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated into a creamy, flavorful filling.
3. Stuff the Shrimp: Using a spoon, fill each butterflied shrimp with the prepared crab and vegetable cheese filling. Press the filling firmly but gently to keep it in place.
4. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed shrimp.
5. Bake the Shrimp: Arrange the stuffed shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet or baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, and the filling is melted and bubbly.
6. Prepare Garlic Butter Dill Sauce: While the shrimp bake, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped fresh dill.
7. Serve: Drizzle the garlic butter dill sauce over the baked stuffed shrimp or serve it on the side for dipping. Enjoy immediately for best flavor and texture.

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Notes

• For a dairy-free option, substitute the cheese and butter with plant-based alternatives.
• If you prefer a lighter filling, replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Ensure shrimp are not overcooked to retain tenderness and juiciness.
• Breadcrumbs help bind the filling; panko can be used for extra crunch.
• Fresh lemon zest and juice brighten the flavors – do not omit.
• The garlic butter dill sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated.

Keywords: stuffed shrimp, baked shrimp, seafood appetizer, crab stuffed shrimp, garlic butter sauce