Our full recipe guide on how to make Fideua one of the most popular dishes in Spain, similar to paella.
Fideuà is a delightful Spanish seafood dish, similar to paella but made with short noodles instead of rice. Fideua is originally from the Valencia region, typically cooked in a paella pan and features a variety of seafood, creating a rich and flavorful meal. Here’s how you can make Fideuà:
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How to Make Fideua
Fideua Recipe Ingredients
400g (about 14 oz) fideo noodles or thin spaghetti broken into short pieces
4 cups fish or seafood broth
1 onion
1 red bell pepper
2 tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
200g (about 7 oz) squid, cleaned and cut into rings
12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
200g (about 7 oz) small clams or mussels
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
A pinch of saffron threads (optional)
Salt and pepper
Lemon wedges
Chopped parsley
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Step By Step How to Make Fideua
Step 1 – Prepare the Ingredients
Preheat your paella pan or skillet: Over medium heat, add the olive oil. Add the onion and red bell pepper, cooking until the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 2 – Add the Seafood
Add the squid rings to the pan and sauté for a couple of minutes. Stir in the grated tomatoes and cook until the mixture thickens slightly.
Step 3 – Season the Base
Sprinkle paprika and saffron into the pan, stirring to combine and with salt and pepper.
Step 4 – Cook the Noodles
Distribute the noodles evenly across the pan. Pour the fish or seafood broth over the noodles, making sure they are completely submerged. Adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Allow the noodles to absorb the broth without stirring, cooking for about 5-10 minutes.
Step 5 – Add the Shellfish
Place the clams or mussels and shrimp evenly around the pan. As the broth cooks down, it will steam the shellfish.
Step 6 – Finish Cooking
Once most of the liquid has been absorbed and the noodles are tender, check if the shellfish have opened. Increase the heat for the last few minutes of cooking to create a crispy bottom layer of noodles.
Step 7 – Serve
Remove from heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley and provide lemon wedges on the side.
Tips for Making a Fideua
Socarrat is a crispy crust on the bottom of the pan that is highly prized. Achieve it by turning up the heat during the final few minutes of cooking, but watch closely to prevent burning.
The quality of the broth is crucial as it absorbs into the noodles and provides much of the dish’s flavor. Homemade or high-quality fish broth works best. If fideo noodles aren’t available, thin spaghetti broken into 2-inch pieces serves as a good substitute.
How Many Calories Has A Fideua
Fideo Noodles (400g) is about 1,440 calories. Fish or Seafood Broth (4 cups): is around 40 calories. Olive Oil (1/2 cup) is about 960 calories. Squid (200g) is approximately 198 calories. Shrimp is around 200 calories and Clams or Mussels (200g) is about 190 calories.
Onion 45 calories, Red Bell Pepper 30 calories, Tomatoes 44 calories, Garlic 13 calories. Paprika, Saffron, Salt and Pepper with minimal content.
Total Estimated Calories of the Fideuà would be around 3,160 calories, if you divide this into 6 servings, is about 527 calories.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.