Paella was invented in Valencia, Spain, as a way of making a nice meal out of surplus food and some rice. It’s incredible how many tourists come to Spain to eat this “delicacy” without realizing that it started as a leftovers meal!
Paella, when cooked, needs to be spread around the pan. The rice should be an inch (2.5 cm) deep, or less. This helps keep the rice nice and loose which is important as you are cooking it with other food.
Paella Pan Size And Servings
Paella pans are wide, shallow and round.
Paella Pan sizes are measured across their diameters.
In terms of serving sizes, I often use a 10 inch frying pan to cook paella for my two young children and me. (My husband avoids rice). So I would say a 10 inch paella pan serves 2-3 people as a full meal.
If you are doing paella as a starter, or part of the meal then you can double the number of portions.
Now remember that the servings go up faster than the size. So a 20 inch pan would serve a full meal for 8-12 people.
Most people would get a 14 inch (4-6 full meals) or a 16 inch pan (serves 5-7 people). That’s enough to cook a family meal. If you have visitors then it’s enough to serve paella along with another dish.
If you really want to go for it entertainment wise then consider an 18 inch (7 – 10 people). This would easily serve 4 adults and 4 kids. OK, if all the kids are hungry teenagers you might have a problem – then consider a 20 inch!
Does It Fit On Your Stove?
Beyond 12 inches and it’s unlikely that you could fit the paella pan on a single burner of a normal stove. This doesn’t have to be a problem – you can use multiple burners. Do check it fits on your stove.
I think gas stoves are best for large paella pans, though you can use other types.
If you have a single burner stove, or the size you want won’t fit, you may need to look at other options. I would suggest a burner and pan combo. This would also let you cook it outside, or keep your stove free for other dishes.
