Seafood paella
Instructions
Select only the freshest ingredients
Fresh, high-quality ingredients are the backbone of a good seafood paella. Opt for freshly caught shrimps and cleaned mussels to get the best taste. Look for shrimp with firm flesh and a mild, sweet scent and avoid any that smell overly fishy. Mussels should have tightly closed shells or close when tapped, indicating they are alive and fresh.
Prepare in advance
Preparing seafood paella ahead of time can help ease your cooking endeavours and save time. You can chop and portion the vegetables, measure the spices, and clean the seafood in advance. If needed, cook the rice base with the stock and spices a day earlier, stopping just before adding the seafood and cheese. On the day of serving, you only need to reheat the rice, add the seafood and cheese, and finish cooking. Keep the prepared ingredients refrigerated separately; when it is time to finish, combine everything for a fresh and flavourful paella.
Store leftover paella
To keep leftover seafood paella fresh, let it cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. This helps preserve the taste and texture. Refrigerate the paella once cooled; it will stay good for up to 2 days. When reheating, make sure to heat it thoroughly to about 74 °C.
FAQ: Questions about seafood paella
Below, you will find answers to common questions about preparing this Spanish-inspired seafood paella recipe.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
1378 Kcal
| Fibre | 12.3 gram fibers |
| Protein | 92.1 % |
| Carbohydrates | 49.4 % |
| Fat | 67.6 gram |
Ingredients
|
Olive oil
|
4 tbsp |
|---|---|
|
Onion, chopped
|
1 |
|
Button mushrooms
|
200 g |
|
Red pepper
|
½ |
|
Green pepper
|
½ |
|
Yellow pepper
|
½ |
|
Garlic cloves, minced
|
2 |
|
Arborio rice
|
300 ml |
|
Dry white wine
|
300 ml |
|
Vegetable stock
|
950 ml |
|
Salt
|
1 tsp |
|
Smoked paprika
|
1 tsp |
|
Ground turmeric
|
1 tsp |
|
Shrimps
|
150 g |
|
Blue mussels, frozen or fresh and cleaned
|
450 g |
| 200 g |
To serve
|
Lemon wedges
|
|
|---|---|
|
Dill, chopped
|
100 ml |
Try our authentic seafood paella
Experience a seafood paella that brings a taste of Spanish tradition to your table. This recipe combines well-seasoned rice, delicate seafood, and crisp vegetables to create a meal that feels comforting and authentic. Follow traditions and serve the paella straight from the pan, inviting everyone to share a memorable meal.
Rich, sweet flavours from delicate shrimp and mussels
The shrimp and blue mussels are the heart of this seafood paella and contribute a delicate sweetness. The shrimp remain tender as they cook, soaking up the spices and stock while retaining their juicy texture. Mussels release their briny, ocean-like flavour into the rice, giving it a subtle saltiness and a lovely hint of the sea. As the seafood warms, mild white cheese melts into the rice, adding a gentle creaminess that gives you an irresistible cheesy touch.
A rainbow of colours from crisp, earthy vegetables
The colourful mix of vegetables makes everything look so much more inviting. Red, yellow, and green peppers introduce a natural sweetness that adds a pleasant contrast to the spices. Sautéing them with onions and garlic deepens their flavour, bringing a slight smokiness to the mix.
The button mushrooms contribute an earthy richness and a soft texture that pair well with the crispness of the peppers. Each spoonful delivers a fresh, lively taste that complements the seafood and seasoned rice, creating a well-rounded paella that appeals to both the eyes and the palate.
Rice cooked in well-seasoned vegetable stock
The rice is the foundation that ties everything together. In this recipe, it is infused with flavourful vegetable stock. As it simmers, the rice takes on a beautiful golden colour from the smoked paprika and turmeric. The dry white wine added early on gives a subtle hint of acidity, cutting through the sweetness of the peppers and seafood.
Letting the rice sit undisturbed as it finishes cooking forms a caramelised bottom layer called socarrat. This crispy base adds an extra texture, giving each serving a little crunch and highlighting why the rice is an essential part of this paella experience.
Share a classic Spanish family meal
Paella has long been a symbol of togetherness in Spanish culture, and this seafood version invites you to recreate that feeling at home. Traditionally served directly from the pan, this paella offers an inviting way to gather around the table with friends and family.
Present the paella pan as the centrepiece and allow everyone to get a little closer to each other. With its beautiful appearance and inviting aroma, this paella recipe encourages conversation, laughter, and a shared appreciation of good, traditional food.
Capture the flavours of Southern Europe with a few other of our recipes. Explore our crispy chorizo pizza, where Spanish chorizo adds a smoky richness to an Italian classic. If you are looking for a refreshing twist on traditional Spanish fare, try the chilled watermelon gazpacho. Or experience the blend of Spanish and Italian influences with our fluffy olive focaccia topped with white cheese.
Change up the ingredients
Explore new flavour combinations and introduce other types of seafood like clams, calamari, in other words, squid, or even prawns. Clams bring a touch of sweetness and a slightly chewy bite, while calamari, with its tender yet firm texture, offers a pleasant contrast with the softer elements. Prawns, when used alongside the shrimp, bring a juicy bite and a slightly richer flavour.
To introduce more colour and a hint of sweetness, try adding vegetables like peas, green beans, or artichoke hearts. These are common ingredients in traditional Spanish versions. Fresh tomatoes offer subtle acidity and sweet notes. If you want to elevate the flavour even more, consider using a pinch of saffron to impart a deeper golden colour and a delicate, aromatic warmth to the rice. To finish, a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pleasant herbal touch.
