Quick and Easy Paella is a great quick meal. I think Spanish Paella is a great special dish; it’s fancy and filled with yumminess. But, I think most people aren’t going to take the time to get a Paella pan and cook up a big batch of the seafood & rice stew.
Thus, enter the Quick and Easy Paella made with orzo instead of rice. All the flavors of Paella, but easier and more accessible to many people, and, my version has lots of veggie goodness.
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Recipe suggestions
This basic recipe is vegan, budget-friendly, and pretty quick.
I love to make this for my husband to take to lunch with him. I prep everything the day before, package it in a dish, and it’s an easy way for him to have a healthy yummy lunch that he can eat at his desk (though I’d prefer he get away from his desk, I know how he really is so I try to make sure it’s easy to eat). For his lunch, I’ll throw in some shredded chicken. For me, I like it in the simple vegan version.
If you’d like to add more protein to the dish, I suggest cooked shrimp, clams, chicken, or tofu will work well.
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Quick and Easy Vegetarian Paella Recipe
Quick and Easy Paella
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil , or light tasting oil of your choice
- ½ medium yellow onion , diced
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 pinch saffron threads , optional
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dry white wine
- 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
- ¼ cup chopped jarred red peppers
- ¾ cup canned artichoke quarters , drained
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish
Instructions
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until onion is soft and starting to brown, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If onion starts cooking too quickly, add a little water to the pan to slow the cooking. Add orzo and cook until orzo starts to toast, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, smoked paprika, saffron, salt, and pepper. Cover skillet, reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add white wine, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan. Add peas, chopped red pepper, and artichokes, and toss to combine, cooking until veggies are warmed through, about 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley or chopped chives.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Culinary Ginger
Wow, what a stunning dish and I love the use of orzo. Heading over to Tara’s now for the recipe.
Adrienne Grace
I’m definitely going to try out this recipe this week — sounds delicious!
Lovefoodies
well well well! SUPERLICIOUSNESS! I love the recipe and your photo is very nice too!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm
This looks fabulous! I LOOOOVE the idea of using orzo and the veggies you added, it sounds just fabulous!
grabaplate
Ooo! One of my fave dishes! This sounds amazing (and amazingly easy)! Your pix are drool-worthy!
mealplanmaven
OMG I love this dish and I haven’t even tasted it yet! So colorful and full of great flavors!
mikewinsc
Very unique take on a classic. Love the artichoke idea
christine
This looks like it is packed with flavor. Can’t wait to head over to get the recipe.
Vanessa Marquiss Barker
This looks so good.
Britni
Paella sounds amazing! I’ve been wanting to do this, but don’t have the time yet.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
I LOVE Paella. What a lovely dish to warm up to this time of the year!
Britney
This is awesome! Thanks for a new recipe!
Michelle F.
That looks really delicious. I love that you used orzo in it.
Emily @ Love, Pasta and a Tool Belt
This looks like a yummy dish!!
Michele
Looks delicious and sounds pretty easy to make. Of course I would throw in some shrimp, mussels and lobster meat!
Stephanie Keeping
This sounds amazing and easy. I was just looking for different meals to try.
Heather
Yum! Looks like there’s some spice and I love that! Love easy too!
Our Mini Family (@ourminifamily)
Love paella! YUM! Thanks for this recipe!
Becky
Love the added veggies and the use of orzo! This is my kind of dish 🙂
michaela403
Somebody give me a spoon! A BIG SPOON! That looks sensational!