If you are craving a vibrant, flavorful meal that comes together quickly with minimal fuss, this Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe is an absolute winner. It perfectly blends the sweetness of fresh shrimp, mussels, and calamari with tender, fragrant rice simmered in rich seafood stock and brightened by a touch of smoked paprika and fresh parsley. This dish is a joyful celebration of Mediterranean-inspired flavors and a great way to impress friends and family without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a key role in creating a balanced and colorful dish, combining textures and tastes that sing. From the aromatic onion and garlic base to the fresh seafood and bright peas, every component contributes to an unforgettable meal that’s surprisingly simple to make.
- Long-grain white rice: The perfect choice for fluffy, separate grains that absorb all the delicious flavors.
- Seafood stock: Adds a rich, briny depth that transforms the rice into a savory treasure.
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined): Brings sweetness and tender bite to the dish, cooking quickly alongside the rice.
- Mussels (cleaned): Infuses the pot with ocean fragrance and adds beautiful garnish when opened.
- Calamari rings: Provide a delightful chewiness, balancing the varied seafood textures.
- Olive oil: Used to gently soften the onion and garlic, introducing those warm Mediterranean notes.
- Diced onion: Builds the flavor foundation with its subtle sweetness when cooked until soft.
- Minced garlic: Packs a punch of aroma and savory depth that lingers in every bite.
- Diced tomato: Adds freshness and slight acidity that brightens the entire dish.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a smoky warmth that evokes classic Spanish-inspired cooking.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the natural flavors.
- Frozen peas: A pop of color and subtle sweetness that balances the savory seafood.
- Lemon wedges: Perfect for squeezing over the finished dish to introduce a zesty brightness.
- Chopped parsley: Fresh herbaceous notes that add vibrancy and an inviting finish.
How to Make Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Adding diced onion to the hot oil allows it to soften and release its natural sweetness, which forms the flavor base for your rice. After about three minutes, when the onion turns translucent, stir in the minced garlic and diced tomato for another minute to let their aromas bloom. This step sets the aromatic stage for the rest of the dish.
Step 2: Toast the Rice and Add Spices
Next, add the long-grain white rice to the pot along with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything thoroughly, ensuring the rice gets coated with the oil and spices. Toasting the rice briefly in the aromatics before adding liquid enhances its nuttiness and builds layers of flavor that make this one-pot meal so comforting.
Step 3: Simmer the Rice in Seafood Stock
Pour in the seafood stock and bring the pot to a gentle simmer. Cover it and let cook undisturbed for 10 minutes. This simmers the rice perfectly, allowing it to begin absorbing all the savory flavors from the stock and spices.
Step 4: Add Seafood and Peas
After the initial simmer, fold in the shrimp, mussels, calamari, and frozen peas. Cover again and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the rice is tender, the mussels have popped open, and the seafood is fully cooked. This step ensures everything finishes cooking together, absorbing flavor and melding beautifully.
Step 5: Rest and Fluff
Once the seafood rice is cooked through, take the pot off the heat but keep it covered for 5 minutes. This resting period lets the rice grains steam a bit more, making them fluffy and tender. Before serving, fluff gently with a fork and sprinkle with chopped parsley for fresh flavor and inviting color.
How to Serve Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Serving this dish with a few lemon wedges on the side brightens up the rich, smoky flavors with a vibrant citrus zing. A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only adds a lovely green pop but also brings a fresh herbal note that ties the seafood and rice together.
Side Dishes
This one-pot meal shines on its own, but if you want to round it out, consider a crisp, lightly dressed green salad or some crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices. A simple side of roasted vegetables or grilled asparagus also pairs beautifully with this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual dinner, serve the seafood rice straight from the pot to the table — it has a rustic charm everyone will love. For something more festive, spoon the rice into shallow bowls and arrange the mussels and shrimp on top with a fresh lemon wedge, turning it into an elegant centerpiece that’s sure to wow guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to two days, though seafood is best enjoyed fresh, so try to eat leftovers promptly.
Freezing
Because seafood can be delicate, freezing this rice dish is not ideal if you want to maintain the best texture. However, if you choose to freeze it, do so in a tightly sealed freezer-safe container and consume within one month. Thaw slowly in the fridge before reheating gently to avoid rubbery seafood.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in a microwave, adding a splash of water or stock to revive the rice’s moisture. Cover the dish while reheating to retain steam and prevent drying out the seafood. Avoid overheating to keep the seafood tender and flavorful.
FAQs
Can I use other types of seafood in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap mussels for clams or add scallops or fish chunks. A frozen mixed seafood blend works well too for convenience and variety.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your seafood stock and any added ingredients don’t contain gluten. Always check labels to be sure.
What can I do if the rice isn’t fully cooked after the cooking time?
If the rice absorbs liquid too quickly or is still firm, add a little extra stock or water, cover, and cook for a few more minutes until tender.
Can I prepare this recipe vegan or vegetarian?
This particular recipe centers on seafood, but you can swap in hearty vegetables, beans, or plant-based seafood substitutes with vegetable stock to create a vegan-friendly version.
How do I clean mussels before cooking?
Rinse mussels under cold water, scrub their shells, and remove the “beard” fibers by pulling them toward the hinge. Discard any mussels that are cracked or stay open when tapped.
Final Thoughts
This Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe is a gem for anyone who loves big flavors without the hassle. Rich, aromatic, and packed with succulent seafood, it’s a recipe that feels both special and approachable. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own with little tweaks and personal touches. Trust me, this vibrant dish will soon become a favorite at your table!
Print
Quick One-Pot Seafood Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Spanish-Inspired
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Description
A quick and flavorful one-pot seafood rice dish combining shrimp, mussels, and calamari with aromatic spices and vegetables for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal perfect for a hassle-free dinner.
Ingredients
Seafood and Rice
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound mussels, cleaned
- 1/2 pound calamari rings
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small diced onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 medium diced tomato
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Liquids and Fats
- 3 cups seafood stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Tomato: Stir in the minced garlic and diced tomato, cooking for another minute until fragrant and the tomato softens.
- Incorporate Rice and Spices: Add the long-grain white rice along with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the rice with the aromatics for enhanced flavor.
- Add Seafood Stock and Simmer: Pour in the seafood stock and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook gently for 10 minutes, allowing the rice to start absorbing the liquid.
- Add Seafood and Peas: Stir in the shrimp, mussels, calamari rings, and frozen peas. Cover the pot again and cook for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the mussels have opened, and the seafood is cooked through.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, still covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Fluff the rice with a fork, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for a bright finish.
Notes
- If the rice absorbs liquid too quickly, add an extra splash of seafood stock or water to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Mussels can be substituted with clams for a different shellfish variation.
- For convenience, a frozen mixed seafood blend can replace the individual seafood components without compromising flavor.
