One of the most delicious parts of living in Spain is—unsurprisingly—the food. From slow afternoons filled with tapas to late-night bites, Spanish cuisine is packed with flavor, history, and heart. But the good news? You don’t need to live in Madrid or Barcelona to enjoy these flavors at home. In this post, I’m sharing 5 easy Spanish recipes you can make in your own kitchen—no fancy techniques or rare ingredients required. Whether you’re craving something savory like gambas al ajillo or sweet like basque cheesecake, these simple Spanish dishes will bring a little bit of Spain to your table.

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1. Chistorra a la Sidra

Starting with a simple, no-recipe-required snack. This is a Basque dish typically found in the north of Spain, but you can usually find these two simple ingredients anywhere.

All you have to do to make this crowd-pleasing classic is sauté your chistorra in a pot on the stove and brown it before adding about a half cup of Spanish cider, and done! Like most Spanish dishes, serve it up with some crusty bread and enjoy.

2. Gambas al Ajillo

One of my favorite Spanish dishes — spicy, garlicky shrimp. This is a classic that’s easy to recreate at home.

All you need to create this dish is a good quality olive oil, fresh juicy shrimp (ideally with their heads on/unpeeled), Calabrian chili or dried chili flakes, garlic, and either white wine or brandy.

Bonus points if you serve it up in a cute cazuela, like this one.

Here are my favorite recipes to make at home:

• https://www.themediterraneandish.com/gambas-al-ajillo-spanish-shrimp/#wprm-recipe-container-37184
• https://www.thespanishchef.com/recipes/gambas-al-ajillo
• https://spanishsabores.com/gambas-al-ajillo-recipe-spanish-garlic-shrimp/#recipe

3. Pan con Tomate

I make this for breakfast at least once a week! While this dish is extremely simple, it’s also extremely Spanish.

No recipe required — the best way to make it is to toast a baguette, rub a clove of garlic directly on the crusty bread to infused the flavor, then add your grated tomate spread on top with a drizzle of olive oil and salt.

If you live in Spain, buy a ceramic grater plate or bowl at your local market. But if you live in the U.S. and don’t have an upcoming trip to move or live in Spain, here’s a great and affordable option!

4. Tortilla Española

With only three simple ingredients (eggs, potato, and onions), this is at the top of the list of easy Spanish recipes to whip up at home. The hardest part is the flip!

I personally like it medium/well done where it’s not super runny, but the inside is juicy and not overcooked. When I make it at home, I also like to add a little goat cheese. Not the traditional way, but it sure is delicious.

Serve it with some crusty bread and eat it as breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon tapa!

My favorite tortilla recipies:

• https://www.thespanishchef.com/recipes/tortilla-de-patatas
• https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/tortilla-de-patatas/
• https://www.meriendasdepasion.com/en/authentic-tortilla-espanola-recipe/#recipe

5. Tarta de Queso (Basque Burnt Cheesecake)

Creamy and delicious, the Spanish know how to make a good cheesecake.

If you’re looking for a Spanish dessert to make for your family or your next Spanish-themed dinner party, this is a great option. In Spain, the cheesecake usually has a cheesier taste since they make it with manchego or Spanish cheese, but I personally prefer it a bit sweeter.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes to make at home:

• https://www.recipetineats.com/basque-cheesecake/#h-ingredients
• https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/basque-burnt-cheesecake?srsltid=AfmBOoqppgN1y42iQ1g2USz9w5uhq43L9TOBQhSoOUvOTdtlzalKdL0J
• https://spanishsabores.com/burnt-basque-cheesecake-recipe/#recipe

Make sure you have a good springform pan! Here’s the one I use to get the job done.

Bonus Easy Spanish Recipes/Small Bites

• Gildas — create a skewer with sardines, olives, and peppers for a quick snack.
• Garlic mushroom pinxos – sautéed garlic mushrooms on top of toasted bread.
• “Spanish nachos” — potato chips with mussels, sardines, or jamón ibérico on top.
• Marinated olives — buy these at the store or make your own marinade! Not as authentic – but I like to make a checkerboard of olives with feta for snacking.
• Jamón and cheese platter – use jamón serrano, chorizo, cecina, manchego, and crackers to create a very Spanish charcuterie board.

Final Thoughts

These are the perfect dishes to make at home if you’re craving a bit of Spanish flavor. Whether you’re planning a trip to Spain, making a move abroad, or trying to bring a bit of Spain into your home, these easy Spanish recipes are guaranteed to delight.

Taking a trip to Spain? Read up on all the Spanish dishes you need to try during your trip!

I would recommend picking a few of these dishes to make for a Spanish Night at home, or inviting your friends over for a Spanish-themed dinner party.

If you make any of these recipes at home, share your thoughts and/or photos in the comments!