Affordable Seafood Paella
A flavorful one-pot meal with shrimp, mussels, and saffron rice, inspired by Spanish cuisine but adapted for budget-friendly ingredients. This spanish-inspired seafood (vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 45 minutes pairs short-grain rice, shrimp, (shucked) mussels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 lb (shucked) mussels
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 red, diced (1 cup) peppers
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan or skillet over medium heat. Sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup diced red peppers and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups short-grain rice and stir to coat with oil. Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and stir. Add 1/2 tsp saffron threads, stirring to combine.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. After 10 minutes, gently stir in 1 lb shrimp and 1 lb shucked mussels. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the mussels open and the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Affordable Seafood Paella take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Affordable Seafood Paella?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep short-grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Affordable Seafood Paella?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Affordable Seafood Paella for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Affordable Seafood Paella vegetarian-friendly?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
