Seafood Paella Recipe for FIFA World Cup Party

easy paella recipe

This classic Spanish Seafood Paella Recipe is a saffron-infused medley of

delicious seafood  and arborio rice, a perfect one pot meal to feed a crowd

and works with whatever protein or seafood you have on hand.

Fifa World Cup VIewing Party

 

We are a soccer family, but a divided one. Mauricio  is definitely rooting for Argentina,

while my dad and brother in law are die-hard team Brazil fans.

The three of them were planning to go to the FIFA World Cup together, but it didn’t work out.

So I decided to bring the World Cup to them, with a little soccer party and make

everyone’s favorite seafood paella recipe.

 

 

No matter who they are rooting for to win, one thing that brings our family together is food.

More specifically, my mother-in-law’s seafood paella.

I watched her make it several times, and now I’m sharing the recipe with you.

 

easy paella recipe

 

The best part about making a seafood paella or any paella is that it works with just about

any protein or seafood you have on hand. The key ingredients are the arborio rice and saffron,

and all other ingredients are really up to you.

 

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world cup viewing party set up

 

We are a bunch of seafood lovers so I load this classic style paella dish with all the seafood I can find.

From small white fish to jumbo scallops, crab legs, shrimp and mussels and clams.

Not a fan of some of the above? Simply leave it out. You can also add chicken to this recipe.

 

 

TIP: Serve a lemon wedges and olive oil with your paella,  so everyone can finish their paella to their taste.

 

how to serve paella dinner party

 

Decorating for the FIFA World Cup Party

I found these cute soccer ball lanterns online, and knew they would serve great as my center pieces.

Of course to keep everyone happy, I had to have both teams represented.

 

soccer party decorations

 

I also found Argentinian and Brazilian flags online, as well. I simply printed those and then cut into triangles.

I already had thread at home, so I used glue and tape to create these flag banners. I posted one on each side.

 

world cup viewing party decorations

 

Pom poms to match each of the flag colors, as well as the table cloth were

fun additions to keep within this theme.

 

soccer watching party

 

I also made mini flags and taped them to toothpicks.

It’s such a simple and cute way to decorate your home and make a meal more festive, don’t you think?

 

Make the Seafood Paella Recipe

 

easy paella recipe

Seafood Paella Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups finely chopped onion
  • 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 4 large garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups uncooked Arborio rice or other short-grain rice
  • 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice extra lemons to serve after
  • 4 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon saffron threads
  • 1 16-ounce can of less sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 lbs unpeeled jumbo shrimp
  • 1/2 lbs of mussels scrubbed and debearded
  • 1/2 clams scrubbed and debearded
  • 1/2 of salmon or 2-4 5 oz pieces of any fish you like
  • 3-6 jumbo scallops
  • 1-2 lobster tail if you're feeling fancy, you can also use crab legs or both!

Instructions
 

  • To prepare paella, combine water, saffron, and broth in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer (do not boil). Keep warm over low heat. Peel and devein shrimp, scrub mussels and clams, and clean all other seafood and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large paella pan or large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sautè 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, paprika, and 3 garlic cloves; cook 5 minutes. Add rice; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in lemon juice, two more garlic cloves and chopped parsley, and broth mixture. Bring to a low boil; cook 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add seafood to the pan nestling everything into rice mixture.Arrange shrimp, heads down, in rice mixture. Cook until seafood is cooked and shells open; discard any unopened shells. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup lemon juice. Remove from heat; cover with a towel, and let stand 10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges, and olive oil.

Pin The Paella Recipe for Later

 

best seafood paella recipe

 

  This post was originally created in partnership shop with Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company.

All opinions are mine alone. #WorldCupParty #CollectiveBias

6 Comments

  • Reply Susan December 16, 2019 at 2:39 PM

    How many servings does this make? Thx!

    • Reply ... besos, ALINA December 16, 2019 at 4:44 PM

      Hi! I would say about 6!

  • Reply It's Halloween, witches dinner party | Besos, Alina September 14, 2019 at 7:40 AM

    […] Seafood Paella Recipe for a Crowd […]

  • Reply Dominique June 14, 2018 at 11:21 AM

    This looks like it’s going to be a fun party. The decorations are very cool but classy!

  • Reply Sharon Garofalow June 12, 2018 at 4:13 PM

    This sounds delicious!!! Love how the party is soccer themed but still looks totally sophisticated!

  • Reply Kelly June 12, 2018 at 8:48 AM

    Gorgeous, I love how you worked in a house divided theme in your own style. #client

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