Paella Style Vegetables
A vibrant, vegetable-packed paella-inspired dish featuring tender rice, fresh vegetables, and baked eggs, perfect for a hearty, flavorful vegetarian meal.
Ingredients
- 10 oz. frozen broccoli, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 2 c. zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick ⓘ
- 2 chopped peppers ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed ⓘ
- 16 oz. can tomatoes, cut up (undrained) ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 c. raw peas ⓘ
- 2/3 c. Parmesan ⓘ
- 2 3/4 c. chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. raw brown rice ⓘ
- 6 eggs ⓘ
Instructions
- In a pan with a little water, sauté zucchini, peppers, onion, and garlic until tender.
- Add tomatoes and their juice, salt, pepper, broth, rice, and lemon juice to the pan.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then pour into a large casserole dish.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- Stir in cooked broccoli, peas, and Parmesan cheese.
- Make six depressions in the rice mixture with a spoon.
- Break one raw egg into each depression and sprinkle with salt.
- Cover and bake for another 18 to 20 minutes until eggs are cooked.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding saffron or smoked paprika, which are traditional in paella. If fresh vegetables are available, replace frozen broccoli with fresh steamed broccoli. You can also swap out the Parmesan for a dairy-free alternative or omit it entirely for a lighter dish. Make sure to check the rice for doneness before adding the eggs to avoid overcooking them.
Serving Suggestions
This Paella Style Vegetables dish is delightful as a standalone meal but can be complemented with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavors. A chilled avocado and cucumber soup pairs beautifully, making for a refreshing summer meal. You can also serve it alongside grilled chicken sandwiches for a heartier feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the dish in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions, but be mindful not to overcook the eggs.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Paella Style Vegetables contains roughly 630 calories, with 18g protein, 96g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (167% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), and protein (35% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1870mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, brown rice can be used, but it may require a longer cooking time. Ensure to adjust the chicken broth quantity and cooking duration accordingly, as brown rice typically takes about 40-45 minutes to cook through.
What can I substitute for chicken broth?
Vegetable broth is an excellent substitute for chicken broth, enhancing the dish's flavors while keeping it vegetarian. You can also use water, but the dish may be less flavorful.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the vegetable mixture and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day before baking. Just add the eggs right before baking to ensure they remain fresh and properly cooked.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).