Lee's Seafood Paella

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Spanish-inspired paella loaded with shrimp, mussels, squid, and saffron-infused rice. A celebration of coastal flavors and multicultural influences. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 60 minutes pairs short-grain rice, shrimp, mussels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Spanish cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until broken down. Add 2 cups short-grain rice, 1 tsp saffron threads (soaked in 2 tbsp warm water), and 1/2 cup white wine. Mix well.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb shrimp, 1 lb mussels, and 1 lb squid rings. Pour in enough water to cover the rice by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, covering the pan with a lid.
  4. Step 4: Simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Let rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Serve directly from the pan, garnished with additional saffron and a drizzle of olive oil for richness.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lee's Seafood Paella take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (30 min prep + 30 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 Lee's Seafood Paella?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lee's 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 Lee's Seafood Paella for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.

What goes well with Lee's Seafood Paella?

Spanish seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes