Spanish Seafood Paella
A vibrant one-pan Spanish classic loaded with shrimp, mussels, and saffron-infused rice. This showstopping dish brings coastal flavors and crispy socarrat to your table in under an hour.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 38g
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups short-grain paella rice
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads
- 4 cups seafood stock, warm
- ½ cup diced tomatoes
- 12 oz large shrimp, peeled
- 1 lb mussels, cleaned
- ½ lb clams, cleaned
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 whole lemon wedges
Instructions
- 1
Steep saffron threads in 0.25 cup warm stock for 10 minutes to release color and flavor.
- 2
Pat shrimp and shellfish dry with paper towels. Season all seafood lightly with salt and pepper.
- 3
Heat olive oil in a 15-inch paella pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper, sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes and smoked paprika, cook for 2 minutes.
- 5
Add rice and stir constantly for 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. This prevents mushiness.
- 6
Pour in warm seafood stock and saffron infusion. Stir once, then do not stir again. Increase heat to medium-high.
- 7
Let paella cook for 15 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed. You should hear a gentle crackling sound (socarrat) at the bottom — this is desirable.
- 8
Nestle shrimp, mussels, and clams into the rice, pushing them down slightly. Scatter frozen peas over the top.
- 9
Continue cooking for 8–10 minutes until shrimp are opaque, mussels and clams have opened, and a light golden crust forms on the bottom.
- 10
Discard any unopened mussels or clams. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
Tools you’ll need
- 15-inch paella pan
- wooden spoon
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- small bowl
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