Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant Spanish-inspired paella featuring saffron-infused rice, succulent shrimp, and fresh seafood, cooked in a single skillet. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs saffron threads, short-grain rice, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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.

★ 3.6 (10 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Spanish cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Crush saffron threads in a small bowl and add 1 tbsp warm water; let steep while preparing other ingredients.
  2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped tomato and fennel; cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in short-grain rice and cook for 2 minutes, coating each grain with oil. Add saffron infusion and cook for 1 minute until rice is slightly toasted.
  4. Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, then arrange shrimp and mussels on top. Cover and cook for 12 minutes until rice is tender and seafood is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Stir in shelled peas and cook uncovered for 3 more minutes until rice is fluffy. Remove from heat, garnish with lemon wedges, and serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron?

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 saffron threads from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron?

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 Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron 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.

What goes well with Mercado Libre's Seafood Paella with Saffron?

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.

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