I’ve been too lazy to cook recently and started exploring ready-made paella from various supermarkets. As a paella enthusiast, I tried all the brands I could find, and today I’m sharing my experience.
Comparison of Tested Products
Let me tell you about the frozen paella products I tested. I mainly bought them from Mercadona, Carrefour, and El Corte Inglés, with prices ranging from 2 to 8 euros.
| Brand | Price | Portion | Rating |
|---|
| Hacendado | €2.50 | 400g | ★★★☆☆ |
| Findus | €4.20 | 350g | ★★★★☆ |
| Campo Verde | €3.80 | 375g | ★★★☆☆ |
| Pescanova | €5.90 | 400g | ★★★★★ |
My Top Recommendations
After multiple tastings, Pescanova’s frozen paella is definitely my first choice. Although slightly pricey, the seafood ingredients are generous - prawns, mussels, and squid rings are all included, and the rice doesn’t get overcooked. Following the package instructions for 6 minutes in the microwave, the result is very close to restaurant quality.
Findus offers good value for money, especially their mixed seafood paella. While the seafood variety isn’t as rich as Pescanova’s, it wins on reasonable pricing and decent taste. The only downside is sometimes you might get a package with less seafood - it’s a matter of luck.
Purchasing and Storage Tips
There are several tricks when buying these ready-made paellas. First, check the production date and choose the freshest ones. Second, ensure the packaging is intact, especially for frozen products, as damaged packaging might affect paella ingredient selection quality.
Storage is also important. Frozen ones can be kept in the freezer for 3-6 months, but must be consumed quickly once opened. Room temperature versions have longer shelf life but taste inferior to frozen versions. I tried room temperature ones before - really not great.
Occasionally having ready-made paella is a good choice, especially when you’re too lazy to cook after working late. If you have other good recommendations for seafood selection tips, please share them below!
