Make-Ahead Paella Casserole

butter, softened

broken thin spaghetti or orzo pasta

long-grain white rice

Generous pinch saffron threads

to 3 1/2 cups chicken stock

All-purpose flour or instant flour, such as Wondra, for dredging

smoked sweet paprika

boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

EVOO

Spanish chorizo, chopped

to 4 cloves garlic, chopped

onion, chopped

plus a splash dry sherry

1-pound, thick center-cut fillet sustainable cod or black cod

frozen peas, thawed

chopped fresh thyme

roasted red bell peppers, chopped

Seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay

large shrimp, peeled and deveined

lemon

roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley