Description
This vibrant and comforting Arroz de Marisco brings the heart of Portuguese coastal cuisine to your table. Loaded with tender shrimp, mussels, clams, and optional squid, the dish features a rich tomato-seafood broth with the signature “malandrinho” (soupy) texture that defines this national favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups Carolino or Arborio rice
- 1 lb large shrimp, shell-on, deveined (shells reserved for broth)
- 1 lb mussels and/or clams, scrubbed and debearded
- ½ lb squid rings (optional)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 6–8 cups homemade seafood broth (from shrimp shells)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the broth by simmering shrimp shells with a quartered onion, bay leaf, parsley stems, and 8-10 cups of water for 20-25 minutes.
- Strain and keep hot.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 8-10 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and paprika; cook 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes and bay leaf; simmer 5 minutes.
- Add rice and stir for 1-2 minutes. Pour in 6 cups hot seafood broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Add squid rings, cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp and clams, cook 3-4 minutes. Add mussels, cover, and cook 2-3 minutes until all shells open. Discard any unopened.
- Turn off heat, stir in cilantro or parsley, adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
Notes
For a burst of brightness, squeeze half a lemon over the dish just before serving. Do not rinse the rice to maintain its creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Keywords: Arroz de Marisco, Portuguese seafood rice, malandrinho rice, seafood stew, authentic Portuguese recipe