One-Pot Vegetable Spanish Paella – delicately flavored with saffron, paprika, and turmeric, this vegetarian paella is the perfect escape! Taste the vibrant vegetables and spices of Spain and bask in Spanish sun, all from the comfort of your home!
Everyone is looking for an escape these days. Whether it’s watching travel videos or looking back at pictures from past trips, people can’t wait to go back and explore the world. So, if you’re feeling a tired of being stuck at home, here’s my vegetable paella recipe for a little taste of Spain!
I went to Spain last summer and, by far, paella is the most delicious thing I tasted there. My version has red bell peppers, leeks, green beans, peas, and onions for an added level of freshness and crunch! In terms of the spices, I’ve kept it classic with some Spanish paprika, saffron, and turmeric — just the essentials!
A creamy fusion of crisp veggies and light, spicy flavors, there’s no better way to beat the quarantine blues than some homemade paella!

Delicately flavored with saffron and paprika, this vegetarian paella is the perfect escape! Taste the vibrant vegetables and spices and bask in Spanish sun, all from the comfort of your home!
- 2 cups short grain rice
- 6-8 cups vegetable broth , or water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 small red onions , finely chopped
- 1/2 cup leeks , chopped (optional)
- 1/3 cup red bell peppers , diced
- 1/3 cup green beans , diced
- 3 tbsp tomato paste , or tomato puree
- 4 tbsp peas , steamed or boiled
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/4 tsp saffron , soaked in 1 tsp warm water
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- crushed black pepper , to taste
- salt , to taste
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Heat up the olive oil in a large saucepan and then add in the onions, leeks, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minute later on medium heat until golden brown.
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Add in the short grain rice and tomato paste/puree and toast until golden, about 2-3 minutes. In a another pot, heat up your vegetable broth or water.
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Once the rice is toasted, begin ladling in the broth, just enough to cover the rice at first.
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Stir often until most of the water is absorbed and then add a few more ladles and repeat the process.
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About 5-7 minutes into this process, add in your bell peppers, green beans, saffron, paprika, red chili flakes, rosemary, turmeric, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
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Continue the process of adding the broth or water and stirring till absorbed and then adding more, until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.
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Just before serving, you can stir in the peas or, if you prefer, you can just use them as a garnish! Serve with a lemon wedge and enjoy!
- Bomba rice is a short grain rice traditionally used in paella. However, you can substitute with any other short-grain rice.
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Beautiful amazing recipe
Thank you so much!
Such a doable and awesome recipe !! Can you post more spanish tapas / vegetarian spanish recipes ?