• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Veggies Don't Bite
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Father's Day
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
  • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Father's Day
    • Recipes
    • Shop
    • Resources
    • Portfolio
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home ▸ Vegan Main Dishes

    Easy Veggie Paella Recipe

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: December 9, 2019 By Sophia DeSantis

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    This veggie paella recipe is so easy to make and super affordable. It's an all in one meal with veggies and protein plus it's packed with flavor with the @knorr yellow rice! #easyveganmeals #cheapdinners #KnorrPartner
    Black bowl of veggie paella topped with lemon slices and strips of greens
    This veggie paella recipe is so easy to make and super affordable. It's an all in one meal with veggies and protein plus it's packed with flavor with the @knorr yellow rice! #easyveganmeals #cheapdinners #KnorrPartner

    This veggie paella recipe is so easy to make and packed with flavor. It's an all in one meal with veggies and protein plus it's super affordable!

    Black bowl of veggie paella topped with lemon slices and strips of greens

    Click here to subscribe

    This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Knorr®. The opinions and text are all mine.

    There is nothing better than a fast dinner that cleans out the fridge, is packed with flavor, loved by all and can be made all for under $2.50 a serving!

    Veggie Paella

    When I first heard about the meal paella, I thought it sounded fancy, aka hard. Once I broke it down into parts, I realized that heck I could not only make this easy but I can make it taste amazing!

    Now, I am going to give some fair warning to all Paella connoisseurs out there...this is my easy affordable and fast version. I am not going for the traditional paella pan slow cooking dish. I am going for the idea and I need to match my lifestyle (and I am guessing many of you are in the same place).

    Which is why I decided to use the Knorr® Fiesta Sides Yellow Rice. It not only cooks super fast and easily but it's packed with flavor so you don't need a lot of extra fluff. Much like my easy minestrone soup which uses bouillon for flavor, this relies on the rice.

    Child holding a package of Knorr brand rice mix

    What are the main ingredients in paella?

    Originally Paella is meant to highlight the rice,  along with added ingredients like veggies, meat or fish. It's pretty basic with the main components. I chose to highlight veggies and some veggie sausage along with the rice.

    Because I made this a clean out the fridge kind of meal, I used whatever veggies I had leftover from my other dinners. Here are some options that would be perfect for this veggie paella:

    • Mushrooms
    • Peppers
    • Peas
    • Broccoli
    • Zucchini
    • Carrots
    • Green beans
    • Brussels sprouts
    • Spinach
    • Chard
    • Onions

    I also added some veggie sausage to this for extra protein, but you could also add some garbanzo beans.

    What rice can you use for paella?

    Traditionally paella uses a short or medium grain rice. You can of course break out your regular plain rice, but you'd also have to add some spices and seasonings to make this flavorful.

    As I said, I was going for easy, fast, and flavorful so I opted for the Knorr® Fiesta Sides Yellow Rice for my recipe. I love this rice because it comes with loads of flavor, which allows me to keep it simple with ingredients.

    With simple ingredients, and not a lot of extra spices needed, this veggie paella can be made in under 30 minutes. This huge for a busy mom of three! You basically dump in the veggies and a few other ingredients, add the rice and bam! Done!

    Hands holding package of dry rice mix over a pan of veggie paella

    The Fiesta Sides Yellow Rice also has:

    • No artificial flavors
    • No colors from artificial sources
    • No added msg
    • You can find it just about anywhere and it's affordable (see here where you can find it near you)

    Should Paella be covered when cooking?

    If you are making paella the original way, it is cooked uncovered in a wide paella pan. It is supposed to be a dry kind of rice, not wet. So keeping the cover off allows the moisture to evaporate and makes the rice on the drier side.

    Since I am huge on texture, and love a good dry al dente like rice, I tried to replicate that as much as I could while sticking to my easy idea. I used ½ cup less water that the rice packet suggests to keep it on the drier and more al dente side.

    Also, since the veggies are fresh they release some water while cooking as well so adding less water keeps it from getting overly wet. I also made this in a large sauté pan because I love my pans, but if you can definitely try using a paella pan.

    How to Make Easy Veggie Paella

    This is a huge winner for my family! Four out of five loved it, and the fifth is four years old so you never know.

    1. Gather up leftover veggies or those you need to use up. Wooden spoon mixing veggies in a pan
    2. Sauté everything in a pan. Wooden spoon mixing sautéed veggies and tomatoes in a pan
    3. Add rice. Wooden spoon mixing veggie paella mix in a pan
    4. Cook and serve!Fork picking up a bite of veggie paella from a black bowl

    What side dishes go with paella?

    This veggie paella recipe is an all-in-one kind of meal but you can always add a few other sides to make it even more amazing. Here are some of my favorite pairs:

    • Sautéed spinach
    • Roasted carrots
    • Roasted brussels sprouts
    • Mexican coleslaw

    Click here to subscribe

    Just a heads up, if you choose to use the Knorr® brand rice mix, then keep in mind that the ingredients online that say it includes chicken are not correct. It does NOT include chicken.

    Black bowl of veggie paella topped with lemon slices and strips of greens

    Easy Veggie Paella Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    3.67 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 9 mins
    Cook Time 14 mins
    Total Time 23 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Main Course
    Cuisine Spanish
    Servings 4
    Calories 313 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup chopped onion , red or yellow works
    • 2 cloves garlic , chopped
    • Your favorite oil to sauté , optional can also use broth
    • 1 can diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounces
    • 4 cups raw mixed veggies of choice (see note)
    • 2 veggie sausage links , or you can use 1 ½ cups cooked garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed)
    • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika , or regular works too if you don’t want the smoky flavor
    • 1 package yellow or Spanish rice mix , 5.2 ounces, gluten-free if needed (I used Knorr brand Fiesta Sides Yellow rice)
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • Parsley and lemon , optional for garnish
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt , optional to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Sauté the onion and garlic with oil or broth until slightly soft, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Add the tomatoes, veggies, sausage or beans and smoked paprika. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the flavors mix well. You do not want to cook them much because they will cook with the rice and you don’t want mushy veggies.
    • Add the packet of rice and 1 ½ cups water. You don’t want to add the 2 cups the packet recommends because it will be too wet with the water the fresh veggies releases.
    • Bring to a boil, about 2 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes. You can put the top on and walk away or you can leave the top off and mix often to get a drier rice. Add more water if it gets too dry.
    • Serve garnished with lemon and parsley if preferred.

    Notes

    • You can use any leftover raw veggies you need to use up or that are extra from another recipe. I used mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, yellow pepper, and zucchini. I also topped with a touch of shredded chard.
    • If you prefer to use regular rice, you can do so but you will need salt and extra spices to get the same great flavor. You’d add about 1 ¼ cups rice.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 22gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 689mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1057IUVitamin C: 93mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

    Never miss a recipe!Sign up here and get a FREE quick and easy meal guide!

    « Vegan Mushroom Stew Recipe
    Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce Recipe »
    314 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Questions or comments? Let me know below! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. janne

      December 15, 2019 at 10:17 am

      Hi there,

      I’m disappointed that you encourage folks to use this kind of packaged food when embracing good health. See ingredients below: Knorr uses msg or Disodium Guanylate ( similar) in almost all their mixes. I’m all for ease and convenience, and there are ways to do just that with this recipe- how about powdered onion, garlic, tumeric; or a wholesome veggie bouillon or pre made mix with just spices?
      If you go to the Knorr site, the ingredients don’t even come up for this, and in the search you DI get chicken broth, but I found these ingredients from somewhere else for this packet.
      These kind of ingredients just aren’t healthy! Please stay with your wholesome recipes
      Ingredients
      Enriched Parboiled Long Grain Rice [Rice, Niacin, Ferric Orthophosphate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid], Enriched Vermicelli [Wheat and Durum Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid], Maltodextrin (Corn), Salt, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Red Bell Peppers*, High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Spices, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Extractives of Turmeric (for Color), Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract. *Dried.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 15, 2019 at 11:11 am

        Hi Janne, my goal with my business is to provide wholesome plant-based recipes for all. I also fully encourage balance and stress reduction. Sometimes, you need to have convenient foods at your fingertips, especially during this crazy holiday season when so many people take on so much stress. This recipe is filled with delicious wholesome vegetables and a great easy meal for a busy night. I also like to share products that are accessible for people across the country, as not everyone is as lucky to have any grocery store they want near them. In addition, this is an affordable product and I love that I can give ideas for those that need to budget. If you read my post, I actually do address the mistake of the added chicken (which I let people know is a mistake). Good health does not only have to do with what you put into your body, but it also has to do with your mind. The good health I embrace and encourage is one where you find happiness in balance, mostly whole foods, some convenience, a lot of giving yourself some grace and a touch of indulgence. I truly hope you can find that one day. I appreciate that you love my recipes.

        Reply
    2. Pat Carter

      December 10, 2019 at 9:14 am

      Looks delicious (and easy). Thanks, adding it to my rotation

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 10, 2019 at 1:00 pm

        You are so welcome! It is so easy and delish!

        Reply
    3. Vikki

      December 10, 2019 at 1:25 am

      Maybe you're finding a different Knorr Yellow Rice than I am, but the ingredients include chicken. I was surprised to see you using something with animal products? This is what I found:
      Ingredients. Water, salt, corn syrup solids, monosodium glutamate, dehydrated mechanically separated cooked chicken, sugar, modified corn starch, autolyzed yeast extract, dehydrated chicken broth, spices & spice extract, dehydrated parsley, xanthan gum, flavour, hydrogenated soybean oil and sulphites.
      And maybe I have just assumed that all your recipes are vegan.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        December 10, 2019 at 1:01 pm

        Hi Vikki! Yep, I just added that to the post. The ingredients you found are incorrect, this rice does NOT include chicken! Some links online say it does but it does not. Thanks for getting in touch!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I’m Sophia and I love food. As a food photographer, plant-based recipe creator, and client-centered health coach, I focus on helping people feel empowered instead of overwhelmed when it comes to overall health and wellness. Let me help you eat more plants!

    More about me →

    Click here to subscribe

    Vegan Father's Day Recipes

    • Three pieces of French toast in a pile with berries and butter on top.
      Easy Vegan French Toast
    • A fork getting a bite of creamy macaroni salad from a stack of two white bowls with blue rims.
      Easy Vegan Macaroni Salad Recipe
    • Close up of chocolate chip cookies with salt on top lined up on a black cooling rack.
      Oat Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • A black bowl with ranch, celery pieces and buffalo cauliflower wings.
      Healthy Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Trending Recipes

    • Pile of three pieces of spanakopita on a white plate
      World's Best Greek Vegan Spanakopita
    • Looking for the perfect way to start your day? This vegan oatmeal recipe is the ultimate creamy delicious choice and it comes together in mere minutes! #veganbreakfastrecipes #easymeals
      The Best Creamy Vegan Oatmeal Recipe
    • A collage of a burrito, sandwich, past bowl and taco bowl.
      Easy Vegan Meal Plan For a Week
    • A purple smoothie bowl in a cream bowl topped with fruit, granola and nuts on a dark grey blue towel.
      How to Make a Thick Vegan Smoothie Bowl
    Cookbook cover with a burrito, burger and fries on a white table with a black background

    Amazon | Barnes & Noble

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Logos of websites that listed places this site has been featured

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Click here to subscribe

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Press

    Copyright © 2013-2023 Veggies Don't Bite

    314 shares