Clean out your fridge with this summer vegetable paella that allows you to use up all your crisper drawer odds and ends in a delicious one-pot meal.
summer vegetable paella

It really technically still is summer, though.

FYI.

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I know everyone is ready to dive on into the world of pumpkins and squashes and apples and maple and pecan pie because Pinterest told us to.

But if you try to take my heirloom tomatoes away from me, I will probably bite you.

Consider that a warning.

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If there’s one thing Labor Day does signify, it’s the return to some sort of real life schedule.

Even the latest back-to-school stragglers start this week, which means dinner has to be on the table earlier and bedtimes must be enforced.

I’ve had to work all summer, so while this transition shouldn’t be a major one for me, it still feels like summer living was fast and loose and now it’s time to get back to business.

Ever the eternal student, September has that effect on me.

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It also helps(/doesn’t help) that my boss keeps listing thirty experiments he wants me to do and a paper he wants me to have submitted.

Before my wedding.

In three months.

I keep giving him my best “seriously, but you’re delusional” face, but he’s just not picking up on it.

Selective facial recognition is his strong suit.

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Anyway, as I was saying, easy one-pot meals are at a premium around here, and this clean-out-the-crisper summer vegetable paella is a new favorite.

Started on the stove to saute’ the veggies so they get a good caramelized outside and then finished in the oven, where the rice cooks up to fluffy perfection, this comes together in about an hour, but with only the first 20 minutes being hands on time.

And you still get those crispy bottom-of-the-pot rice bits. Glorious.

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Summer Vegetable Paella
 
Clean out your fridge with this summer vegetable paella that allows you to use up all your crisper drawer odds and ends in a delicious one-pot meal.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 lb small heirloom tomatoes, seeded and cut into wedges
  • salt, to taste
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced horizontally
  • 1 lb string beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
  • pinch of saffron
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 cups arborio rice
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 450.
  2. Put the tomato wedges in a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let sit while the rest of the paella is prepared.
  3. In a large oven-safe pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic to the pot and saute for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
  4. Add the bell peppers, zucchini, and string beans to the pot, along with a pinch of salt. Saute for 5-6 minutes, or until starting to become tender. Add the saffron, paprika, and rice to the pot. Saute for a minute and then add 1 tsp salt and vegetable broth to the pot, plus more water to cover, as necessary. Bring to a boil and let cook for 3 minutes.
  5. Top with the tomato slices and then place in the oven. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Turn the heat off on the oven and let sit in the still-hot oven for 15 more minutes.
  6. Stir to combine and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
An Eats Well With Others Original
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bowl

 

For more easy rice-based meals, check out these:

vegetable sushi rice salad

Vegetable Sushi Rice Salad

eggplant mozzarella and saffron rice bake

Eggplant, Mozzarella, and Saffron Rice Bake

oven-baked brown rice and eggplant casserole

Oven-Baked Brown Rice and Eggplant Casserole

From Around the Web:

Brown Rice, Oat and Nut Veggie Burger from Naturally Ella

30 Minute Healthy Broccoli Cheese Rice from Pinch of Yum

Roasted Harvest Veggie, Curried Avocado and Coconut Rice Bowls from Half-Baked Harvest

Roasted Summer Vegetable and Rice Casserole from Cook Like A Champion

Chickpea and Veggie Brown Rice Barley Bowl with Tahini Dressing from Once Upon A Cutting Board

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51 Responses to Summer Vegetable Paella

  1. What a lovely ode to the summer veggies!!!!! Gorgeous paella. Pinned!

  2. Summer is coming up for us, so I HAVE to make your paella 😀
    It looks lovely!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  3. Kathryn says:

    Delicious! I’m desperately trying to hold on to summer too and this seems like a great way to do just that.

  4. I LOVE a good veggie-filled paella and yours looks stuffed to the limit with all my fav veggies! I love that you’re still posting summer recipes on Sept 1st because it’s so true—-we have a whole 21 days before summer “officially” ends! Keep ’em coming girl! 😀

  5. Julia says:

    My crisper drawer could definitely use a Spring…err…summer cleaning. I LOVE all things paella and have been meaning to do a veg version. Deeeeelicious!

  6. I’m still holding onto Summer as long as I can – all those fresh tomatoes, just can’t get enough. This looks so good!

  7. Love easy and delicious one pot meal like this…love all the fresh tomatoes you used in this paella.

  8. Mmm, so delicious and simple! I love all that smoky paprika goodness you have in there. Don’t worry about approaching Autumn … you can still make this with pumpkin in it!

  9. I like the idea that you don’t have to cook the rice separately for this recipe. I’ve been spending my time in both hemispheres so it’s almost always the ‘end of summer’ for me. Whoopee!

  10. Sarah says:

    Mmm delicious! School just started for me and one-pot everything sounds great right now. I’ve never made Paella before, but this looks so simple and yummy!

  11. I’m not ready for summer to eeeennnnnddd. Oh wait. I live in Sacramento. It doesn’t cool off until November. I’m good. Still, one-pot meals FTW.

  12. i am always looking for a one pot meal…since rice is a daily occurrence, I could see this happening soon.

  13. I love “clean out your fridge” meals and it’s one pot too?! love love love this summer vegetable paella! and yes, I am back to my real life schedule tomorrow. . kids are back to school tomorrow!

  14. Paella is my favourite dish! Love the fact this is packed-full of veggies! Can’t wait to try out the recipe, Joanne!

  15. Yummy!!! I love paella but never tried it with vegetables… Can’t wait to give it a try!! 😀

  16. Eileen says:

    Hooray for all the vegetables! Paella is such a great way to eat every single thing in the crisper, and have it still be delicious. 🙂

  17. Absolutely gorgeous! I want a plate ASAP! Thank you for the deliciousness!

  18. Oh yeah I am not ready for pumpkins, it was August yesterday! Gimme these heirloom tomatoes!

  19. Yum Joanne! This looks just amazing! A perfect side dish! I love it!

  20. Kelly says:

    I am still not ready to let go of summer veggies either and love that this paella is jam packed with them! It looks so delicious and one pot too?? Perfect and pinning 🙂

  21. Another wonderful use for tomatoes. Looks healthy and delish! I love finding ways to use up the odds and ends.
    I’m totally in denial about summer coming to an end. Sigh. It’s so so sad. I’ll go drown my tears in a pumpkin latte.
    Hope you had a great weekend!

  22. Susan says:

    I was just thinking about paella (although with some shrimp and clams added). I don’t even want to think about September yet here we are!

  23. Zainab says:

    Hahhah these bosses are delusional! Mine took off toe Europe for two weeks and gave me a long list of experiments to do. It’s as if he forgot the freaking cells grow at a glacial pace and there aint nothing I can do about it! OK…rant over lol! I am hanging on to summer just like you although I do look forward to your squash-athon soon! This one-pot dish will be perfect for tonight!!

  24. Teffy Perk says:

    YUM!! I still remember the first time I tried paella. It was my mother’s birthday and this massive pan served up the most delicious rice and seafood I’d ever had! My love for it continues until today. So so delicious!

    {Teffy’s Perks} X

  25. Christina says:

    I’d have the same reaction if someone tried to take away my heirloom tomatoes! PS I am the only one not excited for fall?

  26. preeti says:

    Awesome! I never thought of making a vegetarian paella!!! This is like comfort food! yummm!

  27. Hotly Spiced says:

    Thirty experiments and a paper? That’s unbelievable. What a shame you had to work all summer but at least you have a honeymoon to look forward to! And yes, your summer is over. It’s officially Spring here now – not that you would know it (sitting here huddled by the heater) xx

  28. I shall keep this recipe in mind for when we are about to go overseas 🙂

  29. Oh I am SOOOOO not ready to say goodbye to Summer yet! It’s been raining here all week and this bowl of veggie goodness is just what I need to go with my book. Your boss doesn’t seem to understand that you’re in a happy and heady state of mind right now so maybe a large bowl of this will help? hehehe!! I’m sooooo making this for dinner tonight! Pinned! 😀

  30. I’m so into this paella! Those tomatoes alone…!!

  31. It’s a funny adjustment for me having September as end of summer / back to school season – in Australia it was always the end of January / start of February that brought those things. My mindset isn’t quite right yet, but I know I’d love this dish regardless of that side of things!

  32. Johanna GGG says:

    mmm rice and vegies is such good comfort food – coming out of winter I am sure it would work with squash and root vegies but can’t wait for summer produce

  33. Swayam says:

    Looks great and reads well!! will def try this… thnx!

  34. elly says:

    We make something similar to this quite often, either as-is or with some chicken or beef added into the pot. Easy peasy and everyone loves it.

  35. Courtney says:

    This looks so fantastic! It’s definitely still summer here (97 degrees today!), so I’ll be enjoying my summer foods while I can.

  36. Kate says:

    It still feels like summer here. And I bought a mess of heirlooms at the store this weekend.

  37. I’m a biter too…still no fall recipes made in this kitchen yet!…maybe when we move to Sicily I’ll start! ’cause, you know? Pumpkin is the best!! And so is paella!

  38. Ida Connolly says:

    Do I cook this in the oven with a lid or no lid? I’m doing a lid right now

  39. I love the rice and veggies. Love the colors of this dish too.

  40. This looks incredible! I’ve never made (or eaten!) paella, but now I want to try this recipe!

  41. Shannon says:

    yum. but 3 months! so soon! and all the apartment craziness… wishing you restful nights my dear!! hope things are going well 🙂

  42. Heirloom tomatoes are my fave! I’ve never considered meat/seafood free paella, but this one looks wonderful!

  43. dassie says:

    tried this recipy on sunday and turned out fantastic,just substituted green frozen peas for green beans just added the peas 5 minutes at the end

  44. […] Summer Vegetable Paella by Eats Well with Others […]

  45. […] Summer Vegetable Paella + shrimp […]

  46. […] Originally posted at joanne-eatswellwithothers.com […]

  47. M says:

    Your instructions don’t say if the pot is covered when it goes under the oven or not.

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