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Flavorful Spanish Fideuà Noodle Paella with Mussels and Shrimp

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A delicious and easy-to-make Spanish seafood noodle dish featuring toasted fideuà noodles, mussels, shrimp, and a saffron-infused smoky broth. Perfect for weeknights or entertaining with a coastal twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
  • 1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 7 oz (200g) fideuà noodles or short vermicelli (Gallo brand recommended)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes, grated or finely chopped (fresh or canned crushed tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • A generous pinch of saffron threads (soaked in warm water before use)
  • 4 cups (1 liter) fish stock or seafood broth (homemade or store-bought)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Lemon wedges (to serve)

Instructions

  1. Rinse mussels under cold water, discarding any that are open and don’t close when tapped. Peel and devein shrimp, leaving tails on if desired. Set aside. (5 minutes)
  2. Place saffron threads in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons warm water. Let steep while preparing other ingredients. (5 minutes)
  3. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a paella pan over medium heat. Add fideuà noodles and stir frequently until golden brown and nutty, about 4-6 minutes. Avoid burning. (6 minutes)
  4. Push toasted noodles to one side. Add chopped onion and garlic to empty side and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally. (4 minutes)
  5. Stir in grated tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until tomato mixture thickens and reduces slightly, about 5 minutes. (5 minutes)
  6. Carefully add fish stock and saffron infusion. Stir gently to combine. Bring to a simmer, then spread noodles evenly across the pan. Do not stir after this point to allow socarrat to form. (2 minutes)
  7. Let simmer gently for 8 minutes. Arrange mussels and shrimp on top, tucking them gently into noodles. Cover loosely with foil or lid and cook until mussels open and shrimp turn pink, about 7-8 minutes more. Discard any mussels that remain closed. (15-16 minutes)
  8. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped parsley over dish and serve with lemon wedges. (5 minutes)

Notes

Toast noodles carefully to develop nutty flavor without burning. Avoid stirring after adding broth to form socarrat (crispy bottom). Use homemade fish stock for best flavor or low-sodium store-bought. Discard any mussels that do not open after cooking. Keep an eye on liquid level and add hot water or broth if it evaporates too fast. For gluten-free option, substitute noodles with gluten-free pasta or rice noodles. This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: fideuà, Spanish paella, seafood noodles, mussels, shrimp, saffron, smoked paprika, easy seafood recipe, coastal cuisine

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/flavorful-spanish-fideu-a-noodle-paella-recipe-with-mussels-and-shrimp-made-easy/