This Seafood Paella is a colorful, flavorful dish that brings the taste of Spain to your table. With a mix of fresh seafood, tender rice, and a variety of vegetables, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make and full of vibrant flavors that everyone will love. 🦐🍚
Why You’ll Love This Seafood Paella
Paella is a classic Spanish dish, and this seafood version is a crowd-pleaser! It combines succulent shrimp, mussels, and fish with flavorful saffron rice, creating a meal that feels fancy yet is simple to prepare. The dish is rich with herbs, spices, and a hint of lemon, making it the ideal choice for a special gathering or an easy weeknight dinner with a touch of elegance. With its one-pan preparation, it’s also easy to clean up!
What You’ll Need
For the Paella:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup Arborio rice or short-grain rice
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads (optional but traditional)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric (for color)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or seafood broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, and white fish like cod or haddock)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)
How to Make Seafood Paella
Prepare the Base
Heat the olive oil in a large, wide pan (preferably a paella pan) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Add the Garlic and Rice
Add the minced garlic to the pan and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the rice, saffron, smoked paprika, turmeric, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to coat the rice with the spices and oil, then let it cook for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast.
Pour in the Liquids
Pour in the chicken or seafood broth and the white wine, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let the rice cook uncovered for about 15-20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Add the Seafood and Vegetables
Add the seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, and fish) evenly on top of the rice. Add the frozen peas and halved cherry tomatoes as well. Do not stir the rice once the seafood is added, as you want to keep the layering intact. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
Let It Rest
Remove the pan from the heat and let the paella rest, covered, for about 5 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the rice to finish cooking.
Serve
Garnish the paella with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side. Squeeze a little lemon over the paella just before eating for an added burst of flavor.
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- Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe – A Magical Fall Drink
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- Creamy Reuben Soup
- Butternut Squash Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Fun Variations
- Add Chorizo: For a heartier paella, you can add some sliced Spanish chorizo sausage for extra flavor.
- Use Different Seafood: Feel free to swap in other types of seafood, such as scallops, lobster, or crab.
- Vegetarian Paella: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the seafood and add more vegetables like artichokes, zucchini, and peas.
- Spicy Paella: If you like a little heat, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or diced chili peppers for a spicy kick.
FAQs
Can I make paella in advance?
Paella is best served fresh, but you can make it up to a few hours in advance. Just let it cool down, then reheat gently over low heat when ready to serve. Be careful not to overcook the seafood.
Can I use other types of rice?
Traditionally, short-grain rice like Arborio or Bomba is used in paella for its ability to absorb liquids while keeping its shape. You can use other types of rice, but the texture may not be as authentic.
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes! You can absolutely use frozen seafood in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before adding it to the paella to avoid excess water.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover paella in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to prevent the rice from drying out.
Seafood Paella
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Arborio rice or short-grain rice
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads optional but traditional
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric for color
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or seafood broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup frozen peas optional
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 lb mixed seafood shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, white fish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Heat the Olive Oil: In a large, wide pan (preferably a paella pan), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, saffron, smoked paprika, turmeric, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toast the Rice: Add the rice to the pan and mix well to coat with the spices and oil. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Liquid: Pour in the chicken or seafood broth and the white wine, then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add Seafood and Vegetables: Arrange the mixed seafood, peas, and cherry tomatoes evenly on top of the rice. Cover the pan with a lid or foil, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked and the rice is tender.
- Let it Rest: Remove from heat and let the paella rest, covered, for about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Enjoy your delicious Seafood Paella!
