The Best Seafood Paella
A vibrant Spanish-inspired dish with saffron-infused rice, shrimp, mussels, and squid, simmered to perfection. This spanish-inspired seafood ready in about 70 minutes pairs arborio rice, shrimp, mussels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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 arborio rice
- 1 lb shrimp
- 12 oz mussels
- 8 oz squid
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium lemon
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large paella pan over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add saffron threads and stir to infuse the oil.
- Step 5: Add arborio rice and toast for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
- Step 6: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, stir to coat rice, then add another 1 cup broth.
- Step 7: Meanwhile, clean mussels by scrubbing, and devein shrimp.
- Step 8: Add remaining chicken broth, then place seafood in the pan.
- Step 9: Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender and seafood is cooked.
- Step 10: Squeeze lemon juice over the top and serve.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Seafood Paella take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 The Best 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 arborio rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best 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 The Best 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.
What goes well with The Best 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
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
