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    Home » Blog » Appetizer Recipes

    What to Serve with Paella

    Published: Mar 18, 2023 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    Paella is a classic Spanish dish known for its vibrant flavors, unique ingredients, and simple yet delicious composition. Not only is the dish itself something to be revered, but it can also be dressed up with complementary side dishes. Have you ever wondered what to serve with Paella to make your Paella stand out?

    Collage of four delicious recipes. The title "What to Serve with Paella" is in the center of the collage.

    Whether you’re looking to stick with traditional roots or branch out into new culinary territory, this blog post has all the recipes and ideas necessary to bring your paella game to the next level.

    What exactly is Paella?

    Paella is a Spanish dish that typically consists of rice, meats (usually chicken or seafood), vegetables, and spices. The dish is traditionally cooked in a large shallow pan over an open fire, which helps to give the paella its signature crispy texture. While there are many different variations of paella, the most popular include:

    Seafood Paella: This version of paella contains seafood instead of meats, and is typically made with fish, squid, shrimp, and mussels.

    Vegetarian Paella: As the name suggests, this meat-free paella contains only vegetables. Common ingredients include tomatoes, peas, artichokes, and mushrooms.

    Mixed Paella: This paella combines different meats and seafood with various vegetables. It is a great way to enjoy all of the flavors of paella in one dish!

    Is paella healthy?

    Yes! Paella is a healthy and balanced meal. It contains complex carbohydrates from the rice, lean proteins from the meats or seafood, and healthy fats from the vegetables.

    Additionally, paella is packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and potassium. This makes it a great option for people looking to get their daily dose of nutrients.

    Why should you serve paella with sides?

    Pairing paella with side dishes is a great way to take your meal to the next level. Side dishes can provide additional texture, flavor, and nutrition to the dish. Additionally, they offer a welcome respite from the intense flavors of paella, allowing diners to enjoy each component in its entirety.

    What are some good side dishes for Paella?

    What to Serve with Paella

    Serving sides with anything makes it a full and complete meal. When you have a complete meal, it is healthier and it keeps you full longer. The following suggestions are recipes that my family pairs all the time when trying to decide what to serve with Paella. They are also recipes that we make all the time. Eating healthy, homecooked meals does not have to be difficult.

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    Spicy Shrimp Dip
    Spicy Shrimp Dip is creamy and delicious dip that makes for a great game day or New Years appetizer. Cheesy, spicy and oh so flavorful.
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    Broccoli Crunch Salad
    This Broccoli Crunch Salad is full of crispy broccoli florets, sweet pears, raisins, onion, crunchy nuts, cheese, and bacon! It's an explosion of flavors and texture. It requires no cooking and goes together in just a few minutes and makes a tasty side for all your picnic, cookout, and potluck needs.
    Get the Recipe
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    Roasted Carrots and Broccoli
    Learn how to roast carrots and broccoli in the oven with this simple recipe! Master this combo and have a delicious side that you can make again and again.
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    Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls
    These Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls are my grandma's yeast or crusty bread roll recipe, and the best super soft, light, dinner rolls ever!
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    Homemade Soft Fluffy Dinner Rolls
    Savory Corn Muffins with Bacon, Cheese and Onion
    This is it if you're looking for the best corn muffin recipe. Savory corn muffins with bacon, cheese, and onion are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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    How to Air Fry Asparagus and Asparagus Fries
    Are you ready to learn how to Air Fry Asparagus and Asparagus Fries? The process is simple. they're perfect for dipping and they taste amazing!
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    Italian Cheese Bread (Quick Bread Recipe)
    This Italian Cheese Bread recipe is the Best Bread for Grilled Cheese and tastes similar to Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster but in loaf form. It is a quick bread recipe and the perfect addition to any meal. Just wait until you try it.
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    Breadsticks 6 Ways
    Breadsticks 6 Ways with Pillsbury pizza dough makes copycat breadsticks or cheese sticks from Pizza Hut, Olive Garden and garlic pizza bread.
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    Easy Pizza Dough Breadsticks.
    Broccoli Cornbread with Cheese
    This Broccoli Cornbread recipe takes classic cornbread up a notch. Broccoli cornbread with cheese is a favorite Southern side that goes with practically anything. The addition of broccoli and Cheddar helps make this cornbread incredibly savory, moist, and oh-so-delicious.
    Get the Recipe
    Broccoli cornbread with cheese in pan being lifted out.
    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Mussels
    Easy Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Mussels are cooked in a tomato and white wine cream sauce and is the perfect recipe to serve with a crusty bread for dipping!
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    Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Mussels
    Baby Bella Mushrooms with Teriyaki
    Teriyaki Baby Bella Mushrooms is a wonderful and delicious way to serve mushrooms. Whether you use this recipe to make an appetizer, side or main dish, the results will always turn out the same - fantastique!
    Get the Recipe
    Baby bella mushrooms served up in a wooden bowl with green onions on the top.
    Cheesy Mushrooms Appetizer Toasts
    Mushroom appetizer toasts are cheesy, delicious, and easy to eat in just a bite or two! The perfect potluck appetizer to make everyone swoon! These mushroom snacks are made with a simple saute of mushrooms, baguette, and plenty of cheese for the perfect party snack.
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    Crispy Cheesy Mushroom Bites
    Easy Broiled Asparagus
    Beautifully crispy and charred on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside- this broiled asparagus is a super easy 10-minute side dish you need to try!
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    Asian Mushroom Recipe
    Asian Mushrooms make the perfect addition to so many dishes. With their bold, slightly sweet taste, they add balanced flavors to any meal as a side or topping.
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    Asian mushrooms on a round serving plate topped with chopped parsley.
    Easy Mushrooms on Toast with Avocado Appetizer
    Easy Mushrooms on Toast with Avocado Appetizer is a delightful mushrooms on toast recipe, full of flavor and ready in less than 30 minutes.
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    An Easy Mushrooms on Toast with Avocado Appetizer on a plate.
    Sautéed Cauliflower
    Sautéed cauliflower is easy and full of flavor. This cauliflower saute recipe uses truffle oil and truffle salt to create the best sauteed cauliflower recipe.
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    Homemade Chicken Fried Rice
    This homemade chicken fried rice is a real crowd pleaser, and it's so easy to make. When you make this easy chicken fried rice, it goes fast!
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    Smoked Cauliflower
    Smoked Cauliflower is an easy side dish that is full of smoky and garlic flavor. This makes for a great low carb vegetable side dish.
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    Red Red Rice
    Red Red Rice is an easy side dish that we have been making for years. So different and a tasty change from traditional rice dishes with so many options!
    Get the Recipe
    Red Red Rice
    Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli Rice
    This Instant Pot cheesy broccoli rice is always a crowd-pleaser. Easy to make and packed full of cheesy flavor, you'll want to make this Instant Pot broccoli cheese rice often!
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    Paella is a classic Spanish dish that is full of flavor and nutrition. It can be served alone, but pairing it with side dishes is an excellent way to take your meal to the next level.

    With so many options available, you’ll never get bored of what to serve with Paella. Whether you want to stick with traditional recipes or come up with something unique and creative, there’s a side dish for everyone. Enjoy!

    Collage of four delicious recipes. The title "What to Serve with Paella" is in the center of the collage.
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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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