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A image of easy seafood paella dish for our easy seafood paella dish

Easy Seafood Paella Recipe

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Seafood Paella is a classic Spanish dish from Valencia. Try our easy seafood paella recipe to make a simple yet delicious meal that brings a taste of Spain to your table.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish
Keyword easy recipe, seafood dish, seafood paella
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 454
Cost 40

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron Pan

Ingredients

  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3.5 cups seafood stock
  • 2 cups bomba rice
  • 1 pound calamari cleaned and cut into rings
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 5 Roma tomatoes pureed
  • 1 pinch saffron threads
  • 1 bunch Italian parsley finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredient list for seafood paella
  • Prepare the Saffron: In a small bowl, soak the saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water and set aside.
    Saffron in the water for seafood paella
  • Prepare the Tomatoes: Grate Roma tomatoes to create a puree.
    Grate roma tomatoes for seafood paella
  • Cook the Seafood: Heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat in a pan. Add the calamari and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the calamari turns opaque white. Remove from the pan and set aside.
    Cook calamari for seafood paella
  • Cook the Base: Add more olive oil to the same pan. Add the minced garlic and diced onion. Cook until the onion becomes semi-translucent, about 3 minutes.
    Cook the onion and garlic for seafood paella
  • Add smoked paprika and stir for 2-3 minutes until the onions are fully cooked.
    Add smoked paprika to Seafood Paella
  • Add the pureed Roma tomatoes to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Add pureed Roma tomatoes to seafood paella
  • Add the previously cooked calamari back to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Add previous cooked calamari to the easy seafood paella
  • Pour in the seafood stock and season with salt and pepper.
    Add seafood stock to seafood paella
  • Stir in the bomba rice and saffron with its soaking water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice during this time.
    Add bomba rice for the easy seafood paella
  • Arrange the shrimp on top of the rice. Press them down slightly into the liquid. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, then turn the shrimp to the other side and cook for another 2 minutes.
    Add shrimp to seafood paella
  • Add Italian parsley, then cover the pan and let it cook for 5-10 minutes.
    Add Italian parsley to the easy seafood paella
  • Finish and Serve: Once the paella is done, remove it from the heat. Sprinkle some Italian parsley and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
    Spoon some seafood paella to show how delicious it is

Video

Notes

  1. Use Quality Ingredients: Fresh seafood and high-quality saffron are essential for authentic flavor. 
  2. Choose the Right Rice: Try bomba rice or another short-grain rice variety. These types of rice absorb moisture nicely and retain their firmness when cooked.
  3. To properly prepare saffron: Soak saffron in warm water to unleash its flavor and color before adding it to the paella.
  4. Layer Flavors: Build flavor by cooking ingredients in stages. Sauté garlic and onions first, then add spices and tomatoes, followed by rice and stock.
  5. Rest Before Serving: Let the paella rest off the heat for a few minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together and makes serving easier.
  6. Garnish Well: Finish with freshly chopped parsley to make the dish visually appealing.
  7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as you go, especially the salt and pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 454kcal