Arroz con Sepia Recipe: Spanish Squid and Rice Classic 2026

Arroz con sepia is a comforting Spanish squid and rice dish that sits right between a dry rice and a soupy one, with a creamy, meloso texture and a deeply savory flavor. The squid turns meltingly tender as it simmers with onion, garlic, and tomato, while a splash of sherry and hot fish stock bring everything together.

It comes together in one pan with just ten ingredients, most of which you probably already have on hand. The sofrito does the heavy lifting here, so take your time with it and stir the rice now and then so it releases its starch and stays creamy instead of drying out.

Serve it right after a short rest, ideally with a spoonful of homemade alioli on the side. It is a weeknight-friendly main that still feels special enough for guests.

Ingredients for Arroz con Sepia

This makes 2 generous servings as a main course.

• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion
• Salt
• 300 g cleaned squid (sepia)
• 3 small red tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 60 ml white wine or sherry
• 500 ml hot fish stock
• 150 g round rice

How to Make Arroz con Sepia Step by Step

1. Sofrito the Garlic and Onion

First, saute 1 pressed garlic clove in a pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil for a few seconds over low heat, taking care not to let it burn. Then add 1 chopped onion and cook it with a little salt for 5 minutes over low heat, stirring now and then with a wooden spoon.

2. Add the Squid

Meanwhile, cut 300 g of cleaned squid into cubes and add it to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat until the squid is no longer translucent.

3. Add the Tomatoes and Paprika

Chop or blend 3 small red tomatoes, add them to the pan, and cook everything over low heat for about 15 minutes. At the end, add 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika, stir it into the sofrito, and move straight to the next step so it does not turn bitter.

4. Pour in the Wine, Rice, and Stock

Pour in 60 ml of white wine or sherry and let it reduce for 2 minutes over high heat. Next, add 150 g of round rice and stir for 1 minute so it absorbs all the flavors of the sofrito. Right after, pour in 500 ml of hot fish stock, stir well, and bring to a boil.

5. Cook the Rice

Lower the heat and cook the rice over medium heat for 15 to 18 minutes, uncovered, stirring now and then. Once the time is up, taste it and add salt if needed.

6. Rest and Serve

Remove the arroz con sepia from the heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, and then serve.

Tips for the Best Arroz con Sepia

Go for a Creamy, Meloso Texture

This dish is meant to be neither dry nor soupy, so keep the heat gentle and stir the rice from time to time. That stirring helps the rice release its starch, which is what gives the dish its soft, creamy finish.

Choose Good Squid and Stock

Ask your fishmonger for cleaned squid that is ready to cook, and cut it into even cubes so it turns tender. A quality fish stock, or even a shrimp stock, makes a real difference here, so use homemade if you can or a good store-bought one.

Serve It Right Away

This rice is at its best served freshly made after a brief rest, while the squid is still tender and the rice is creamy. A little homemade alioli on the side turns it into an irresistible bite.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to in My Own Kitchen

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a rotation that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

Some nights I want something luxuriously rich, and that's when I reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a truly indulgent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I'm after something fruity and soothing, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

For mornings that call for something easy and for lighter plates, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And whenever I need a gluten-free staple for the pantry, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the job.

When tapas and Mediterranean cooking are calling, I tend to cycle through this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, silky Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion feels a bit more special.

Hearty midday meals and comforting suppers? These are the ones I'm always recommending: this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and velvety Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street-food cravings and party spreads usually lead me to this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crackly Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine for a quick appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting and putting together drinks alongside a full menu, I'll often serve dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To bring the whole table together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for Your Family

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the greatest dishes boil down to three things: straightforward methods, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

Every recipe gathered here is one I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more celebratory for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together without fuss. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps a lot, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually make the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For cozier, more filling meals, I frequently point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight winner One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes with roots in other countries, such as the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it cuts down on time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado

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