Spanish Seafood Paella (Printable)

Saffron-infused rice with mussels, shrimp, clams, and bell peppers, bursting with vibrant flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 12 mussels, scrubbed and debearded
03 - 12 clams, scrubbed

→ Rice

04 - 1 1/2 cups short-grain paella rice (e.g., Bomba or Arborio)

→ Aromatics & Vegetables

05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 medium tomato, grated or finely chopped

→ Broth & Seasonings

10 - 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
11 - 4 cups fish or seafood stock
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Warm the fish or seafood stock in a saucepan and infuse with saffron threads. Keep warm over low heat.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large paella pan or wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
03 - Add the red and green bell peppers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the tomato and cook until most of the liquid evaporates.
04 - Add the rice and stir to coat with olive oil and vegetables. Sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Pour in the warm saffron-infused stock, distributing the rice evenly. Avoid stirring from this point onward.
06 - Arrange shrimp, mussels, and clams over the rice. Cover loosely with foil or a lid and cook over medium-low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until the rice is tender and shellfish have opened. Discard any unopened shellfish.
07 - Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
08 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • One pan, no complicated steps, and you look like you know what you're doing even if it's your first time.
  • The saffron does most of the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so fresh ingredients matter more than technique.
  • Feeds four people and feels special enough for guests, casual enough for a weeknight when you want something beautiful.
02 -
  • If your mussels or clams don't open during cooking, they were already dead—don't eat them, just discard them quietly and move on.
  • The crispy bottom layer of rice (that's the socarrat) is intentional and delicious, not a mistake, but if you let it burn too dark it tastes like ash, so listen for a gentle crackling, not an angry hiss.
03 -
  • Don't stir after you pour in the stock—this drives me up the wall when I watch people do it, but it's the golden rule, and it's what lets the rice develop that crispy, caramelized bottom.
  • If your seafood stock tastes underseasoned, adjust it before you pour it in; once it's in the pan, it's hard to fix without tasting salty by the time the rice absorbs it.
Go Back