Easy Vegetarian Paella Recipes

EASY AND COLOURFUL VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add 1 sliced onion and cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes until soft and golden. Stir often.
• Add the 2 sliced peppers and sliced fennel, stir well, and continue to stir and cook for a further ten minutes until soft.
• Add two cloves of crushed garlic and the spices (1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp saffron and 1/2 tsp chilli powder if using). Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Add 300g paella rice and stir so that it is coated in the vegetable mixture.
• Pour in 900ml vegetable stock, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and leave to bubble away for 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked. You don't need to stir.
• A couple of minutes before the rice is due to be cooked add the rinsed butterbeans, 100g peas and the jar of olives and stir in.
• Cover with a lid or foil and leave for 10 minutes.
• Add the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve hot with lemon wedges.

VEGETARIAN PAELLA

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large high-sided skillet with a fitted lid over medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms; cook 7 to 8 minutes, until softened. Add garlic, paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes, until fragrant.
• Add wine and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until mostly reduced. Stir in rice; cook 2 to 3 minutes, until rice begins to turn translucent. Stir in chickpeas, tomatoes, broth, and green peas. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine parsley, lemon zest and juice, and remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a small bowl. Once rice is cooked, remove lid and cook 5 more minutes. Scatter parsley oil overtop, and garnish with olives, if desired.

VEGAN PAELLA

Steps:

• Mix boiling water and rice together in a bowl; let stand for 20 minutes. Drain.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes. Add green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and tomato; cook and stir until peppers are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.
• Mix rice and vegetable broth into onion-pepper mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer. Add paprika, salt, and turmeric; cover skillet and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir peas and artichoke hearts into rice mixture and cook until heated through, about 1 minute more.

EASY PAELLA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
• Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.

ONE-PAN QUICK + EASY VEGETARIAN PAELLA

Steps:

• In a pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Next, add the red pepper and mushrooms and cook for about another 5 minutes. Add smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Stir and reduce to medium heat.
• Add cooked brown rice, vegetable stock and dry cooking wine. Simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed.
• Stir in garbanzo beans, frozen peas, and capers. Cook for about 5 more minutes. Garnish with lemon slices and green onions. Serve and enjoy!

VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Prepare all the ingredients and have them lined up in front of you in the order listed above - sounds a bit pedantic, I know, but always makes cooking easier.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add the onions and garlic, cover and cook for about 3 minutes until soft. Then add the peppers and peas, stir in, cover again and cook for a few more minutes.
• Make a well in the centre, put the tomatoes in the well and the paprika on top. Then add the stock (with the saffron if you have it), but make sure it doesn't overflow: if it gets more then half a cm close to the rim of the pan, stop adding stock and just use less rice. Season with pepper and stir.
• Scatter as much of the rice as you think will fit over the stock (depends on your pan, really), stir it in gently, then allow it to simmer gently until the liquid has absorbed and the rice is cooked. This could take about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test a bit of the rice to see if it's cooked, add a bit of stock or hot water if it is not done.
• Stir in the parsley a few minutes before it has finished cooking, if you want to use it, then serve hot. It's also pretty nice cold and should keep for a few days in the fridge.

EASY VEGETARIAN PAELLA

Steps:

• Mince the onion. Mince the garlic. Finely chop the tomatoes, removing the cores but keeping the seeds with their juices. Slice the roasted red peppers into strips, and set aside.
• Measure out all the remaining ingredients before you start. The cooking process goes fast!
• In your largest skillet or a 4-serving paella pan, heat olive oil on medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic until just translucent, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chopped tomatoes, the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and cook until the tomatoes have broken down and most of the liquid is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in the stock, chickpeas, saffron and the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir, then immediately sprinkle the rice evenly across the broth and tap the pan with a spoon to evenly spread the rice. Bring to a medium simmer and cook without stirring until liquid is absorbed, about 18 to 22 minutes (adjust the cook time as necessary if using a skillet). If your pan is large enough to span multiple burners on your stovetop, adjust the heat on each burner so you achieve a steady medium simmer. Rotate the pan every few minutes for an even cook.
• When the top of the rice is beginning to show through the liquid, about 10 minutes into the cook time, press the artichokes, peas, and red pepper strips lightly into the rice.
• In last few minutes, carefully watch the paella and rotate pan more frequently. As the paella finishes, you'll see the steam start to slow down as the water cooks out. If desired, peek at the bottom of a pan by using a knife to scrape back the rice - you shouldn't see any standing water. The sound will start to change from a simmer to a crackle. This indicates the crust is forming. Let the crackling continue for about 2 minutes before removing from the heat. If you smell any burning, remove immediately.
• When the paella is done, squeeze the lemon wedges onto the top of the pan. Sprinkle with a pinch or two of kosher salt and add the parsley, if using. Serve with additional lemon wedges.

EASY VEGAN PAELLA (1 PAN!)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the saffron with the lemon juice to bloom the saffron. Set aside.
• In a large skillet or paella pan - at least 12 inches in diameter - heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, red bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté until softened - about 5 minutes. Add paprika and salt and toss.
• Add the rice and stir to coat and lightly toast the grains - about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable broth and the saffron and lemon juice. Stir well to evenly distribute ingredients.
• Bring broth to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover, set a timer for 20 minutes, and simmer for 20 minutes undisturbed, or until the grains are tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
• While the rice cooks, cook vegan chorizo (if including).
• CHORIZO: If serving with optional vegan chorizo, prepare it while the rice cooks. Heat a 10-inch nonstick or well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a thin layer of avocado oil and as much vegan chorizo as will comfortably fit in a single layer in the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, undisturbed. It should sizzle and pop a bit - if it's not, turn up the heat a little. Once nicely browned on the bottom, use a spatula to flip as evenly as possible to brown the other side for another 3 minutes. Break it up slightly and toss to evenly brown all sides - ~2 minutes. Repeat with any remaining chorizo and set cooked chorizo aside.
• Test the rice after 20 minutes to ensure it's cooked. If it needs more time, add 1/2 cup (120 ml) water and cover again for a few minutes. When the rice is tender, turn heat off. Add the artichoke hearts, 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of artichoke marinade, tomatoes, and peas and toss gently. Cover for 2 minutes to warm through. Taste test and adjust as needed, adding more salt to taste, artichoke marinade for acidity, or smoked paprika for depth/smokiness. Optionally, serve with vegan chorizo and lemon wedges.
• Best when fresh. Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Not freezer friendly.

SPANISH VEGAN PAELLA

Steps:

• Steep saffron: In a small bowl, add the saffron threads to 3 tablespoons warm water, let set 10 minutes to steep. If using turmeric, skip this step and add turmeric with the other spices.
• Saute: Heat olive oil/broth over medium heat in a large wide flat-bottomed pan or paella pan (a dutch oven or large pot would also suffice). Add onions and bell peppers, cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, green beans, tomatoes, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and bay leaves, cook another 3 minutes stirring frequently. For softer veggies, cook another 7 minutes or so, totaling 10 minutes after adding the latter ingredients.
• Add rice + broth: Add in the rice, broth, saffron mixture/turmeric and salt. Gently move the vegetables around so the rice falls to the bottom of the pan as much as possible.
• Boil + simmer: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium or medium-low and cook at a continuous gentle boil, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Do not stir the rice. If using a large paella pan (15 inches or so) you'll want to rotate the pan over the burner every so often to help cook the rice evenly. Stay in the kitchen and clean up so you're right there to adjust the pan when needed. If liquids seem to boil off too quickly, add a little extra warm water/broth.
• Add peas and artichokes: After 15 minutes of cooking, scatter the peas and artichoke hearts on top, cook for 5 minutes more.
• Cover to steam: Turn off heat and cover for 10 minutes with a kitchen towel or other cover of choice. This will allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid as well as steam the peas and warm the artichoke hearts and any other optional ingredients added as noted below. Once done, lightly fluff the rice and serve. Discard bay leaves before eating. Season with salt, pepper or more paprika to taste.
• Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley. Pairs perfectly with a side of leafy greens and a big squeeze of lemon over top. Enjoy straight from the pan or serve in individual bowls.
• Serves 4 - 6

MURCIAN STYLE VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Dice the mushrooms into bite size pieces and sear in the hot olive oil.
• Remove with a slotted spoon (keeping the oil in the pan) and reserve.
• In the same oil, fry the cloves of whole garlic until tender.
• Remove the cloves of garlic and mash in a mortar and pestle with the parsley and saffron too.
• Add the vegetables to the pan and sauté in the hot olive oil for two minutes.
• Add the garlic paste and the mushrooms (with any juices that came out) back to the pan.
• Add one cup of stock and let everything simmer at a low heat for 20 minutes.
• Add the two cup of rice and four cups of stock to the pan.
• Give everything a stir and bring the mixture to a boil.
• As soon as the liquid starts to boil, lower the heat to low and let it cook for 15-20 minutes -- don't stir during this time!
• When the rice is al dente and the liquid is absorbed, you're ready to eat!
• To get the beloved "socarrat" (the caramelized, lightly burnt crust on the bottom of the paella pan) put a kitchen towel over the finished rice and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then remove the towel and put the paella back on the heat on high. Any liquid at the bottom of the pan will start to evaporate, and when you start to hear a sizzle (in Spain we say it sounds like rain) let it caramelize for about 30 seconds (it should not smell burnt). Remove and serve immediately.

VEGETARIAN PAELLA (READY IN 30 MINUTES!)

Steps:

• Heath the vegetable broth.
• If using saffron threads, soak the saffron in a small bowl with 4 tablespoons of broth and let it sit for 10 minutes to steep.
• Add some olive oil to a large skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent.
• At this point, add bell peppers, carrots, and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes-season with a bit of salt. Then add the frozen peas, olives, spinach, and finally rice. Mix and stir well, cook the rice for a couple of minutes, then add the saffron.
• Pour 3 1/2 cups of hot broth slowly in the pan, making sure it's evenly distributed. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to medium and let it cook uncovered. Top with the artichokes. Never stir the rice.
• Let the vegetable paella cook for 15-18 minutes. After 10 minutes, check the rice. If needed, add more broth, 1/3 cup at a time. Increase the heat during the last couple of minutes to create a crispy bottom.
• Remove the pan from the heat, top with some cherry tomatoes, and cover it with a lid or tin foil and let the paella rest for 5-10 minutes (note 7).
• Garnish with the fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges before serving.

RAINBOW PAELLA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add squash, bell peppers, and garlic; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Stir in rice, paprika, and salt; cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Stir in broth and bring mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, without stirring, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes, adding up to ½ cup water if needed. (Move skillet around burner occasionally to reduce risk of hot spots and ensure even cooking.)
• Top with artichoke halves. Remove skillet from heat, cover, and let mixture steam for 10 minutes. Gently fluff with a fork and top with parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.

VEGETABLE PAELLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Core the tomatoes, cut into wedges and place in a medium bowl; season with salt, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and toss. Set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a 12-inch ovenproof skillet or a paella pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, paprika, cayenne and saffron and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
• Add the fennel wedges and cook until lightly browned on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip the fennel and add the baby artichokes and eggplant to the skillet; cook until slightly tender, about 4 more minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer until reduced by about one-third. Stir in the rice and 1 3/4 teaspoons salt; add just enough water to cover the rice completely, 2 1/2 to 3 cups. Increase the heat to high and boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Scatter the haricots verts and 2 tablespoons capers over the rice. Remove the pan from the heat and arrange the tomatoes on top; drizzle with any tomato juices.
• Transfer the paella to the oven and bake, undisturbed, for 20 minutes. Scatter the remaining 2 tablespoons capers and the piquillo peppers over the paella. Turn off the oven but leave the paella inside to continue cooking until the rice is tender, 15 to 20 more minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired

VEGETARIAN PAELLA

Steps:

• Pre-heat your oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas Mark 5.
• To prepare the red pepper, pre-heat the oven grill and cut the peppers in half lengthways. Place both halves on a roasting tin, skin side up and brush with some olive oil and place under the grill and cook until the skins are completely black. Remove from the heat and cover with a tea towel. Once the pepper halves are cooled down, peel the skins off and cut into long strips and set aside.
• Prepare the saffron by lightly toasting the threads on a low heat in a dry pan for a couple of minutes. Transfer the threads into a pestle and mortar and lightly crush them. Pour 4 tablespoons of the hot stock and cover to infuse while you make the paella rice.
• In a large paella pan (45cm diameter) or a large shallow casserole dish, heat one tablespoon of the oil. Once hot, add the runner beans and green asparagus and fry for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown, season with salt. Remove from the pan and set aside. Allow the paella pan to cool down for a couple of minutes.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the paella pan and gently fry on a low heat the chopped garlic and spring onions until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the paella rice and stir for a few minutes on a gentle heat until the rice is slightly translucent. Add the smoked paprika and stir the rice for 30 seconds, followed by the tomato sofrito sauce. Once the sofrito has cooked into the rice, pour in the hot vegetable stock, followed by the saffron infused stock, frozen peas, red pepper slices and white beans. Season with salt and spread the rice out evenly to cover the bottom of the paella pan.
• Bring the paella to the boil. If you have a timer, set it to 17 minutes. The first 5 minutes, cook the paella on a very high heat until the rice rises to the surface. Check the stock for seasoning and add some more salt if necessary, stir the rice, add the grilled artichoke halves, fried runner beans and asparagus and place the pan in the oven. After 12 minutes, remove the pan from the oven.
• Allow the paella to rest for 5 minutes before serving garnished with lemon wedges.