Name: Basic Seafood Risotto
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup Arborio rice (Provides creamy texture.); 4 cups seafood stock (Use chicken broth as a substitute if needed.); 1/2 cup white wine (Can substitute with more stock.); 200 grams mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid) (Can use pre-packaged mixed seafood for convenience.); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated melts better than pre-shredded.); 2 tablespoons olive oil (Extra virgin is preferred.); 1 medium onion, finely chopped (Adds aromatic flavor.); 2 cloves garlic, minced (Use fresh or frozen.); salt and pepper to taste salt and pepper (Key for seasoning.); fresh parsley for garnish fresh parsley (Adds color and freshness.)

This Basic Seafood Risotto comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the seafood or add in any extra veggies you have lying around to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of those odds and ends!

Key Ingredients Breakdown

Before you dive into cooking, let’s take a moment to chat about our star ingredients, what goes into this delicious dish and why I chose them. Ready? Let’s go!

Arborio Rice
Seafood Stock
White Wine
Onion and Garlic
Mixed Seafood
Parmesan Cheese
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Fresh Parsley for Garnish

Let’s Get Cooking!

You ready? Let’s dive into making this Basic Seafood Risotto, it’s easier than you might think!

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add your finely chopped onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent, about 3–4 minutes. You’ll start getting that lovely aroma wafting through the kitchen, just wait!
Then, toss in 1 cup of Arborio rice and give it a good stir! You want to toast the rice for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally until it becomes slightly translucent around the edges. You’ll hear a little soft crackling as it heats up!
Next, pour in 1/2 cup of white wine (or stock if you’re skipping the wine) and stir thoroughly. You’ll want to keep stirring until most of the wine gets absorbed by the rice. The smell here is like a fancy Italian restaurant. Heaven!
Now, here’s where the magic happens: Gradually add 4 cups of seafood stock, one ladle at a time. Stir continuously, letting the rice absorb the liquid before adding more. This process takes about 15–20 minutes, ensuring the rice cooks evenly and gets creamy. You might find yourself scraping the yummy bits off the bottom, that’s just flavor, baby!
When the rice is al dente (with a slight bite), fold in 200g of mixed seafood. Give it about 3–5 minutes to cook through. This is when everything turns into a beautiful, creamy masterpiece. You’ll see the shrimp turning pink and the mussels opening up.
Finally, remove the pan from heat and stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste (don’t forget to taste!), then serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. Looks and smells fabulous, right?

Why This Recipe Is My Go-To

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I adore this risotto. This is my go-to recipe when I have a crowd to please or simply want a cozy meal for my family during busy weeknights. The creamy texture combined with the variety of seafood makes me smile every single time. Plus, if you have extra veggies, toss them in! I’m a real sucker for a meal that allows for creativity in the kitchen. The best part is the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) it actually tastes even better the next day!

If you loved this Easy Basic Seafood Risotto, be sure to check out my Three Cheese Risotto, my Mexican Sweet Corn Risotto, or my Spring Pea Risotto!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Quick & Easy

This risotto comes together in under 30 minutes. Seriously! It’s perfect for those nights when you’re throwing everything together at the last minute.

One Pot Wonder

Minimal cleanup required, you’ll only need one pot for the whole cooking process! That’s a win in my book.

Comfort Food

It’s loaded with tons of flavor that warms you right up. Plus, it’s super creamy, your taste buds are going to party!

Customizable

You can use whatever seafood is available to you or even leftovers you want to utilize. I mean, hello, versatility! Add in some peas, asparagus, or whatever veggies are hanging out in your fridge.

Crowd-Pleaser

The whole family will love it! Honestly, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t enjoy this dish.

Serving and Storage Tips

How to Serve This Risotto

You can serve this dish as a standalone meal or alongside a light salad to balance it out. I like to pair it with some crusty garlic bread or a refreshing green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. A glass of white wine wouldn’t hurt either!

Storage

If you somehow manage to have leftovers (lucky you!), this risotto can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3–4 days. Just be sure to cool it to room temperature before refrigerating!

Reheating Instructions

To reheat, you can pop it in the microwave in 30-second intervals (stirring in between) or warm it gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of stock or water to loosen it up. It may need a little love, but it’ll taste fabulous again.

Freezer Friendly?

Unfortunately, I don’t recommend freezing risotto as the texture may change upon defrosting. Risotto is best enjoyed freshly made!

Final Thoughts

Heartwarming, delicious, and incredibly satisfying, this Basic Seafood Risotto should find a permanent spot in your weekly meal rotation. It’s creamy, comforting, and allows for so much flexibility with ingredients, it’s practically begging for you to make it!

Want to share your thoughts or variations? I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and enjoying the process. Happy cooking, friends! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!