Main Course · Dinner · Mediterranean · Spanish ·

Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli

Name: Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fish stock, 4 cups; Saffron threads, 1 pinch; Bay leaf, 1; White wine, 1 cup; Olive oil, 2 tablespoons; Short pasta (fideuà noodles or broken spaghetti), 200g; Onion, finely chopped, 1; Garlic, minced, 3 cloves; Red bell pepper, diced, 1; Tomatoes, grated, 2 ripe; Salt and pepper, To taste; Squid, cleaned and sliced, 200g; Shrimp, peeled and deveined, 200g; Mussels, cleaned and debearded, 200g; Egg yolk, 1; Garlic clove, minced, 1; Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon; Olive oil, 1/2 cup; Salt, To taste

A traditional Catalan dish, Fideuà is similar to paella but uses short pasta instead of rice, enriched with a fragrant saffron seafood broth and served with a garlicky aioli.

4.5(950 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 18, 2025

Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Seafood Broth

For the Fideuà

For the Seafood

For the Aioli

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 695 kcal
Protein: 32.7 g
Carbs: 49.2 g
Fat: 38 g
Fiber: 3.1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2779 kcal
Protein: 130.8 g
Carbs: 196.8 g
Fat: 152 g
Fiber: 12.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Fish stock 4 cups	40	8	0	0	0
Saffron threads 1 pinch	2	0.1	0.5	0	0.1
Bay leaf 1	0	0	0	0	0
White wine 1 cup	160	0	5	0	0
Olive oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Short pasta (fideuà noodles or broken spaghetti) 200g	720	24	144	2	6
Onion, finely chopped 1	40	1	9	0	1
Garlic, minced 3 cloves	13	0.5	3	0	0.2
Red bell pepper, diced 1	40	1	9	0	3
Tomatoes, grated 2 ripe	44	2	10	0	2
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Squid, cleaned and sliced 200g	174	30	8	1	0
Shrimp, peeled and deveined 200g	168	42	0	2	0
Mussels, cleaned and debearded 200g	118	19	7	2	0
Egg yolk 1	55	3	0	5	0
Garlic clove, minced 1	4	0.2	1	0	0
Lemon juice 1 teaspoon	1	0	0.3	0	0
Olive oil 1/2 cup	960	0	0	112	0
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Seafood Broth

1
Simmer the stock
In a saucepan, bring the fish stock to a simmer.
2
Infuse saffron
Add saffron threads, bay leaf, and white wine.
Tip: Use high-quality saffron for a more aromatic and authentic flavor.
3
Gently simmer
Simmer gently for 15 minutes to infuse flavors.

Making the Aioli

1
Combine base ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolk, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
2
Emulsify
Gradually add olive oil in a slow stream while continuously whisking until emulsified.
3
Season and chill
Season with salt and set aside in the fridge.
Tip: Prepare your aioli a day ahead for enhanced flavor.

How to Make Saffron-Scented Catalan Fideuà with Seafood and Aioli

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Toasting the Pasta
Heat olive oil in a paella pan, add pasta, and toast until lightly browned.
2
Building the Fideuà Base
Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, sauté until soft. Stir in grated tomatoes.
3
Incorporating Seafood and Broth
Add squid, shrimp, mussels, and the prepared saffron broth. Cook until pasta is tender and seafood is done, about 25 minutes.