Description
This easy chorizo pasta with cream sauce is a bold, comforting weeknight dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Smoky chorizo, creamy sauce, and perfectly coated pasta make it a family favorite with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
- 8 oz uncooked Spanish or Mexican chorizo (remove casing, or use pre-cooked and slice thin)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 bell pepper, diced (optional, red or yellow preferred)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and chorizo. Cook, stirring, until chorizo is browned and veggies are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits. Let sauce bubble gently for 2-3 minutes, then stir in grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is silky and coats the pasta.
- Turn off heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or basil if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with extra Parmesan on top.
Notes
For best results, use uncooked chorizo for maximum flavor. Save some pasta water to help the sauce emulsify and coat the pasta. Customize with extra veggies, swap in gluten-free pasta, or adjust the spice level to taste. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of cream or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 21
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 18
Keywords: chorizo pasta, cream sauce, easy weeknight dinner, 30 minute meal, one pan pasta, spicy pasta, comfort food, family dinner