1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheet

• Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Position Rack: Place an oven rack in the center position for even heat distribution.
• Line Baking Sheet (Optional): Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.

2. Prepare the Bread Bowl: Carving Out the Edible Container

• Cut the Lid: Using a large, serrated bread knife, carefully cut off the top of the sourdough bread bowl to create a “lid.” Cut at a slight downward angle, about an inch or two from the top.
• Hollow Out: Gently hollow out the inside of the bread bowl, leaving a sturdy shell that’s about 1 inch thick. Use your hands, a spoon, or the bread knife to remove the soft bread.
  • Tip: Be careful not to puncture the bottom or sides of the bread bowl.
• Reserve Bread: Set aside the bread lid and the removed bread pieces. These will be used for dipping later.

3. Mix the Filling: Crafting the Creamy Seafood Medley

• Combine Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded mozzarella cheese, finely chopped green onions, minced garlic, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, and fresh lemon juice.
• Blend Thoroughly: Stir the mixture vigorously with a spatula or wooden spoon until it’s completely smooth and well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining and the seasonings are evenly distributed.

4. Add the Seafood: Gently Incorporating the Stars

• Fold in Shrimp and Crab: Gently fold in the chopped cooked shrimp and the lump crab meat into the cheese mixture.
  • Tip: Use a gentle folding motion to avoid breaking up the delicate crab meat too much. You want to maintain those beautiful, large lumps.
• Distribute Evenly: Ensure the seafood is evenly distributed throughout the filling.

5. Fill the Bread Bowl: Assembling Your Culinary Masterpiece

• Spoon in Filling: Carefully spoon the seafood filling into the hollowed-out bread bowl.
• Pack and Mound: Gently pack the filling into the bread bowl, ensuring it’s evenly distributed and fills the entire cavity. You may need to slightly mound the filling in the center, as it will settle a bit during baking.

6. Bake the Bread Bowl: Achieving Golden-Brown Perfection

• Place on Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the filled bread bowl to the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
  • Check for Doneness: The Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl is ready when the filling is hot and bubbly, the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden brown on top, and the bread bowl itself has turned a deeper golden brown.
  • Tip: If the top of the bread bowl starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with a piece of aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking. This will prevent it from burning while allowing the filling to heat through properly.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Presenting Your Showstopping Creation

• Cool Slightly: Once baked, remove the bread bowl from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and makes it easier to handle.
• Garnish: Just before serving, garnish the top of the filling with a sprinkle of extra chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness. You could also add a sprinkle of paprika or a lemon wedge for an extra touch of elegance.
• Serve Warm: Serve the Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl warm, accompanied by the reserved bread pieces (toasted or grilled, if desired), an assortment of crackers, crispy tortilla chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for dipping.