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Spain · Food

Fideuà (Seafood Noodle Paella)

50 min
620 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · July 7, 2026

Fideuà (Seafood Noodle Paella)🇪🇸Juan Emilio Prades Bel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

4 matches

Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Fideuà (Seafood Noodle Paella). The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Noodle55 recipes from 12 countriesSee all 4 matches

A cherished Valencian dish, Fideuà is a delightful seafood noodle paella where thin, short pasta replaces rice. It's renowned for its deeply savory flavors from fish broth and fresh seafood, with the noodles toasted to perfection and served with a dollop of creamy alioli.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Fideuà from another cuisine is İmam Bayıldı (Türkiye): the two share 52% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    First, prepare your seafood: peel 250g of prawns, reserving their shells for a potential future broth. Then, clean 200g of squid and cut them into 1cm thick rings. Finally, scrub and de-beard 500g of fresh mussels, ensuring they are clean and ready.

  • 2

    Next, build your sofrito base: heat 4 tablespoons of good olive oil in a 30cm paella pan or a wide, shallow skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced red bell pepper. Sauté this aromatic mix until it's softened and fragrant, which should take about 8-10 minutes.

  • 3

    Now, develop the rich sofrito: stir in 200g of crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, and a small pinch of saffron threads. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until the tomato darkens in color and the mixture thickens into a rich, concentrated base.

  • 4

    Add the seafood to the pan: incorporate the cleaned squid rings and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they firm up and turn opaque. Then, add the peeled prawns and cook for another 1-2 minutes, just until they begin to turn pink – be careful not to overcook them.

  • 5

    Toast the noodles and add broth: add 300g of fideuà noodles (No. 2 or 3) to the pan, stirring them well to coat in the flavorful sofrito. Toast the noodles for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent and slightly golden. Pour in 1 liter of hot fish broth and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

  • 6

    Cook and finish the dish: arrange the scrubbed mussels on top of the noodles, hinge-side down. Let the Fideuà simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles have absorbed most of the liquid and begin to stand upright. Discard any mussels that do not open.

  • 7

    Rest and serve: once cooked, remove the paella pan from the heat. Cover it loosely with foil or a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 5 minutes. This crucial step allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the noodles to achieve their perfect texture. Serve immediately, often with lemon wedges and a side of creamy alioli.

  • 8

    Just a final touch: if you like a crispy bottom, a 'socarrat', increase the heat slightly for the last minute of cooking before resting, listening for a gentle sizzle. Be careful not to burn it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fideuà?

Fideuà is a seafood dish originating from the Valencia region of Spain that uses short noodles instead of rice. It is prepared with a base of garlic, olive oil, saffron, and onions, combined with ingredients such as mussels, squid, and prawns, and is typically served as a main meal.

What type of noodles are best for traditional Fideuà?

Fideuà traditionally uses thin, short, vermicelli-like noodles called "fideos." Look for "fideos para fideuà" or "cabello de ángel" broken into short pieces, which are ideal for absorbing flavor and crisping up.

How can I ensure the seafood in my Fideuà doesn't become overcooked or rubbery?

Cook the squid rings for only about 2-3 minutes until they firm up and turn opaque, then add the prawns for another 1-2 minutes, just until they begin to turn pink. The mussels go on top of the noodles after the broth is added and cook while the Fideuà simmers for 8-10 minutes.

What's the secret to getting the crispy noodle bottom, or "socarrat," in Fideuà?

Achieve the coveted "socarrat" by increasing the heat slightly for the last minute of cooking before resting, without stirring, once the liquid has nearly evaporated. Listen for a gentle sizzle and look for beautifully browned, crispy noodles at the base of the pan.

How important is the fish broth for Fideuà, and can I substitute it?

The quality of the fish broth is paramount for Fideuà; it forms the dish's flavor foundation. Do not substitute with water, and always use a rich, high-quality seafood or fish broth to ensure an authentic and deeply flavorful result.

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