Low Fat Vegetable Paella

Elevate your dinner table with this vibrant and nourishing Low Fat Vegetable Paella, a healthier twist on a Spanish classic. Bursting with the natural flavors of fresh zucchini, bell peppers, and juicy tomatoes, this dish gets its bold color and depth from aromatic saffron threads and smoky paprika. The recipe relies on just a teaspoon of olive oil, making it a heart-smart choice, while short-grain rice absorbs the rich vegetable broth for a satisfying texture. Quick to prepare in under 50 minutes, this one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights or elegant gatherings alike. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon for a zesty finish, and savor this low-fat, vegetarian delight that’s as wholesome as it is delicious. Keywords: low fat vegetable paella, healthy paella recipe, vegetarian paella, quick one-pan meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 81/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 4 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium
• 1.5 cups short-grain rice (such as Arborio or bomba)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon saffron threads
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• 1 medium lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or paella pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the red and green bell peppers to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened.

Step 5

Add the diced zucchini and cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, and saffron threads, mixing well to distribute the spices evenly.

Step 7

Add the rice to the pan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to coat the grains in the spices and vegetables.

Step 8

Pour in the vegetable broth and season with salt and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered, without stirring, until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Maintain an even simmer by adjusting the heat as needed.

Step 10

In the last 5 minutes of cooking, scatter the frozen peas on top of the paella and allow them to cook through.

Step 11

Once the rice is fully cooked and the peas are tender, remove the pan from the heat and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest for 5 minutes.

Step 12

Before serving, garnish with chopped parsley if using, and serve with lemon wedges for an extra burst of flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2255.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	913.6

Total Fat 17.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1793.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 166.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.2g	0%
Total Sugars 37.0g
Protein 25.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 239.4mg	0%
Iron 7.0mg	0%
Potassium 3135.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 17.2%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 71.9%