Paella de Mariscos (Seafood Paella with Prawns, Mussels and Squid)

Paella de mariscos brings together the defining elements of Spanish seafood rice: short-grain bomba rice, saffron-scented stock and a wide, shallow pan that encourages even cooking and a lightly toasted socarrat at the base. The rice should absorb the fish stock without becoming creamy, leaving distinct grains carrying the flavour of tomato, garlic and sweet paprika. Prawns, mussels and squid are added towards the end so they stay tender rather than overcooked. Finished with parsley and lemon wedges, it is a generous pan-to-table dish that suits relaxed entertaining as well as a focused weekend dinner.
Cuisine style Spanish coastal rice dish
Flavor profile Savoury • Briny • Saffron-scented • Lightly fresh
Techniques Simmering • Saffron infusion • Socarrat finishing
Cooking style Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Built-in seafood depth: Hot fish stock, saffron, tomato and paprika create a savoury base that the rice absorbs as it cooks.
  • Proper paella texture: Shaking the pan level and avoiding stirring helps the rice cook evenly while encouraging a light socarrat on the bottom.
  • Fresh finish: Lemon and parsley lift the rich seafood rice without overpowering the saffron or shellfish.

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Timing notes

  • Serve soon after resting: Paella is best served once the rice has rested briefly and the seafood is still tender and hot.
  • Do not skip the rest: A short rest allows the rice to settle and finish absorbing moisture without becoming soupy.
  • Prepare seafood first: Clean and portion the squid, prawns and mussels before the rice goes in, as the final stage moves quickly.

Ingredient notes

  • Use bomba rice if possible: Bomba rice absorbs stock well while holding its shape, which helps create the distinct paella texture.
  • Choose fresh mussels carefully: Discard cracked mussels and any that do not close when tapped before cooking; discard any that remain closed afterwards.
  • Saffron matters: Infusing saffron in hot stock helps release its colour and aroma before it reaches the rice.

Common mistakes

  • Stirring after the stock is added: Once the rice and stock are level in the pan, avoid stirring so the grains cook evenly and the base can develop.
  • Adding seafood too early: Prawns, squid and mussels need only the final stage of cooking; adding them sooner can make the seafood tough.
  • Forcing the socarrat: Increase the heat only briefly at the end and listen for a gentle crackle rather than letting the base burn.

Authenticity notes

  • Cooked wide and shallow: A paella pan encourages even evaporation and gives the rice room to cook in a thin layer.
  • Lemon at the table: Serving with lemon wedges lets each person add brightness to balance the seafood and saffron.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Warm the fish stock in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling, then take off the heat and stir in the saffron. Leave to infuse while you prepare the rest.
  2. Grate the tomatoes and discard the skins; finely chop the garlic. Slice the squid into rings if needed, and scrub and debeard the mussels, discarding any that are cracked or do not close when tapped.
  3. Set a paella pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Cook the garlic for 30 seconds, then add the grated tomato and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until reduced and jammy.
  4. Stir in the sweet paprika and fine sea salt, then add the bomba rice and stir for 1 minute to coat the grains. Pour in the hot saffron stock and shake the pan to level the rice; from this point, do not stir.
  5. Simmer over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, rotating the pan occasionally for even cooking. Reduce to medium-low and cook for a further 10 minutes, until the rice is nearly tender and the liquid sits just below the surface.
  6. Nestle in the squid, prawns and mussels, pushing them lightly into the rice. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the prawns are opaque, the squid is just tender, and the mussels have opened; discard any mussels that stay closed.
  7. Increase the heat to medium-high for 1 to 2 minutes to encourage a light socarrat, listening for a gentle crackle and smelling a toasty aroma. Remove from the heat, cover loosely, and rest for 5 minutes.
  8. Cut the lemon into wedges and roughly chop the parsley. Scatter the parsley over the paella and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing at the table.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best texture, keep the stock hot when you add it so the rice starts cooking immediately and evenly.
  • If the pan looks dry before the rice is tender, add a small splash of hot fish stock around the edge and continue cooking gently.
  • Seafood cooks quickly: add it only when the rice is nearly done so the prawns stay juicy and the squid stays tender.

Substitutions

  • Replace Fresh flat-leaf parsley with Fresh basil for a softer, sweeter herbal finish.
  • Replace Sweet paprika with Smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 1 days
  • Cool quickly, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a large frying pan with a splash of water until piping hot, and avoid overcooking the seafood.

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Paella de Mariscos (Seafood Paella with Prawns, Mussels and Squid)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 55min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Spanish
  • Allergens:
    Crustaceans Fish Molluscs
One pot Kid friendly

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