🍅 Tomato Paella Recipe

🌟 A rich, vibrant rice dish cooked with ripe tomatoes, olive oil, vegetables, and saffron — bringing the heart of Spain to your table.

🕐 Prep Time: 15 mins

🍳 Cook Time: 40 mins

🍽️ Serves: 4

✅ Ingredients:

Base Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 onion, finely chopped

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped

  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped

  • 3 large ripe tomatoes, grated or finely chopped (or 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes)

  • 1½ cups paella rice (or short-grain rice like arborio)

  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth (warm)

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • ½ tsp turmeric or saffron threads (optional but authentic!)

  • Salt & black pepper to taste

  • Lemon wedges (for garnish)

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Optional Add-ins:

  • 1 cup green peas

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas or white beans (for vegetarian)

  • 200g shrimp, mussels, or chicken pieces (for non-vegetarian)

  • Artichokes, zucchini, or mushrooms (great for extra veggies)

👨‍🍳 Instructions:

  1. Heat the pan
    Use a wide, shallow pan or paella pan. Heat the olive oil over medium heat.

  2. Sauté the base
    Add onions and garlic. Cook until soft and golden. Add bell peppers and sauté for 5 more minutes.

  3. Add the tomatoes
    Stir in the grated or crushed tomatoes. Let it cook for 8–10 minutes until the mixture thickens and the tomatoes lose their raw smell.

  4. Spice it up
    Stir in paprika, turmeric/saffron, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.

  5. Add rice and broth
    Pour in the rice and mix to coat the grains. Add warm broth gently and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer (do not stir after this point — traditional paella forms a crust at the bottom called socarrat).

  6. Add veggies/protein
    After about 10 minutes of simmering, add peas, beans, or your protein of choice. Lay them gently on top. Simmer for another 15–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.

  7. Rest the paella
    Turn off the heat and cover the pan with a clean kitchen towel or lid. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes so the flavors settle.

  8. Garnish and serve
    Sprinkle with fresh parsley, add lemon wedges, and serve hot!

🍷 Serving Suggestion:

Pair it with a chilled glass of white wine, sangria, or a simple cucumber mint cooler. Serve with a light green salad or crusty bread.

🔄 Variations:

  • Tomato & Basil Paella – Add fresh basil at the end for an Italian twist.

  • Spicy Tomato Paella – Toss in a chopped green chili or chili flakes for heat.

  • Tomato Seafood Paella – Add prawns, mussels, and calamari for a Mediterranean feel.