Mediterranean Seafood & Saffron Risotto
A creamy, golden saffron risotto loaded with tender shrimp, scallops, and mussels, finished with lemon, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. A show-stopping Mediterranean dish—light yet indulgent, perfect for entertaining or a luxurious dinner.
Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Ingredients
Risotto Base
1 cup Arborio rice
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
4 cups seafood or vegetable stock, warm
Pinch saffron threads
Salt & pepper, to taste
Seafood
200g shrimp, peeled & deveined
200g scallops
200g mussels, cleaned
1 tbsp olive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Finish & Garnish
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
Optional: grated Parmesan (for non-purist Mediterranean version)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prep the Seafood
1. Heat olive oil in a pan.
2. Sear shrimp and scallops 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
3. Steam mussels until shells open (~5 minutes).
4. Squeeze lemon over seafood and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Risotto
1. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
2. Add Arborio rice, stir 1–2 minutes until lightly toasted.
3. Deglaze with white wine if using.
4. Add warm stock gradually, ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently.
5. Dissolve saffron in a little stock and add during cooking.
6. Continue until rice is creamy and al dente (~18–20 minutes).
3️⃣ Combine
Gently fold in the cooked shrimp, scallops, and mussels.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
4️⃣ Finish & Serve
Stir in lemon zest, parsley, and drizzle with olive oil.
Serve immediately, optionally with a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Tips
Use fresh seafood for best flavor
Stirring frequently helps release the rice starch for a creamy risotto
Reserve a bit of seafood stock to loosen risotto if needed
Frequently asked questions FAQs
Can I make it ahead?
Risotto is best fresh. Seafood can be pre-cooked and added at the last minute.
Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes—this is naturally gluten-free if using pure Arborio rice.
Kid-friendly?
Mild, light, and flavorful without spice.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 45g
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 3g