Spanish recipes
Spanish food is made for sharing, with small plates, bold paprika, good olive oil and garlic at the heart of it. This page collects quick tapas, garlic shrimp, skillet potatoes, chorizo dishes, pan con tomate, simple paella-inspired rice and quick tortilla-style egg dishes. Every recipe is ready in 20 minutes or less.
9 recipes, quickest first.
9 minPan con tomate
12 minBlistered shishito peppers
13 minGambas al ajillo
16 minProsciutto-wrapped dates
17 minEspinacas con garbanzos
18 minHuevos rotos with chorizo
19 minChorizo and butter bean stew
20 minChurros with chocolate sauce
20 minQuick skillet paella with shrimp and chorizo
Build a tapas spread with three or four dishes, or pick a heartier recipe for a weeknight dinner. Smoked paprika (pimentón), Spanish chorizo, canned chickpeas, jarred roasted red peppers and Manchego cheese are useful pantry items. The recipe tips explain shortcuts honestly, since a full traditional paella takes longer than our time limit allows.
Common questions
What are easy Spanish tapas to make at home?
Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), pan con tomate, patatas bravas with a quick sauce, chorizo cooked in wine, marinated olives, Manchego with quince paste and pimientos de Padrón are all simple. Serve several small dishes together with crusty bread, and let guests share from the middle of the table.
What is the difference between smoked and sweet paprika?
Spanish smoked paprika, or pimentón, is made from peppers dried over oak smoke, giving it a deep, smoky flavor. It comes in sweet (dulce), bittersweet (agridulce) and hot (picante) versions. Regular sweet paprika is not smoked and tastes milder. They are not always interchangeable, so use what the recipe calls for.
Can I make paella in 20 minutes?
A traditional paella with raw rice needs about 30 to 40 minutes, so it won't fit. For a quick weeknight version, use precooked or leftover rice and fry it with saffron or smoked paprika, garlic, tomatoes, chorizo and shrimp until a light crust forms. It is paella-inspired rather than authentic, but very satisfying.