Weeknight Shrimp Paella

Name: Weeknight Shrimp Paella
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Gluten-Free
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion, minced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 large tomato, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 3 ounces dried chorizo, diced; 1 ½ cups Arborio or short-grain white rice, dry; 1 ½ teaspoons paprika; 1 pinch saffron (optional); ¼ teaspoon sea salt; 1 pinch black pepper; 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 cup peas, fresh or frozen; 1 pound shrimp, thawed

Ready in 30 minutes, packed full of protein and filled with Spanish flavours, this easy shrimp paella recipe is the perfect weeknight meal!

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that originated from Valencia, and is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine. There are many different versions of paella, from chicken to seafood and everywhere in between, however, paella came from humble beginnings as it originated as a dish made by farmers and labourers who cooked rice, mixed with anything they could find, over a wood fire for a lunchtime meal. It is said that the word “paella” may come from the Arab word “baqiyah”, which means “leftovers”, further alluding to its humble beginnings, however, it has also been suggested that “paella” is actually named after the cooking pan itself; also known as ” la patella”.

Today, paella is typically cooked over an open fire in a traditional paella pan and can be made with any combination of rice, chicken, fish, shellfish, eel, rabbit, squid, artichokes, snails, beans, peppers, and a variety of vegetables. However, regardless of what combination you choose, the key to a good paella is the use of medium-grain white rice paired with fragrant spices such as saffron and paprika.

This easy shrimp paella is a simple take on a more traditional paella, which is what makes it a great weeknight dinner. Complete with Arborio rice, chorizo, shrimp and fragrant spices, this weeknight shrimp paella is a quick and easy dinner idea the whole family is sure to love!