Serious Seafood Risotto
A luxurious, creamy risotto with shrimp, scallops, and saffron, embodying elegance and gravitas. This italian-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs Arborio rice, shrimp, scallops for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
- 1.5 cups Arborio rice
- 12 oz shrimp
- 6 oz scallops
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic and saffron threads, then cook for 1 minute.
- Step 2: Add Arborio rice and toast for 2 minutes until slightly browned. Pour in white wine and stir until absorbed.
- Step 3: Gradually add 1/2 cup chicken broth at a time, stirring constantly, until rice is al dente (about 18-20 minutes). Stir in Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Add shrimp and scallops, cooking for 3-4 minutes until opaque. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Seafood Risotto take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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 Serious Seafood Risotto?
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 arborio rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Seafood Risotto?
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 Serious Seafood Risotto 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 Serious Seafood Risotto?
Italian 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
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
