Hey there, food lovers! If you’re on the hunt for a pasta dish that’s quick, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners, then look no further than this Sundried Tomato and Chorizo Pasta! This recipe packs a punch of flavor, and the best part is that it takes just 15 minutes from start to finish! Plus, it’s loaded with delicious ingredients that are sure to hit the spot. Let’s dive right into this delightful recipe that will have everyone at your dinner table asking for seconds.
Method
1. Cook the Chorizo and Veggies
Start by heating a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced chorizo and let it cook until it releases its flavorful oils and begins to crisp up. Once the chorizo is nicely browned, add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped sundried tomatoes to the pan. Stir occasionally, allowing the vegetables to soften and absorb the smoky, rich flavors from the chorizo. The cooking process should take around 5 minutes, ensuring that the ingredients meld together beautifully.
2. Add Herbs and Tomato Purée
Once your veggies have softened, it’s time to add the Italian herbs and tomato purée to the pan. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring that the tomato purée coats the chorizo and vegetable mixture. The addition of herbs will infuse the dish with earthy, aromatic notes, while the tomato purée adds depth and richness to the sauce. Allow this mixture to cook for another 1-2 minutes, letting the flavors marry before moving to the next step.
3. Boil the Pasta
While you’re preparing the chorizo mixture, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add your rigatoni to the water and cook it until it’s al dente, which usually takes around 10 minutes. The pasta will finish cooking in the sauce, so be sure to leave it just slightly firm. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a ladleful of pasta water (about ½ cup) to use in the sauce later.
4. Combine with Passata and Cream Cheese
Next, it’s time to add the passata and cream cheese to the chorizo and vegetable mixture. Pour in the 100g of passata, followed by the cream cheese, stirring to combine everything into a smooth, creamy sauce. At this point, take the reserved pasta water and add a ladleful to the sauce, helping to loosen it up and create a more luxurious, silky texture. If the sauce is still too thick, feel free to add a bit more pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.
5. Toss in the Pasta
Finally, once your pasta is cooked and drained, add the rigatoni to the pan with the sauce. Toss the pasta in the creamy chorizo sauce, making sure each piece of pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more pasta water and stir until everything is well combined and coated in the flavorful sauce. Once the pasta is fully mixed with the sauce, it’s ready to serve!
Necessary Tools
- A large pan for cooking
- A separate pan for boiling pasta
- A wooden spoon for stirring
- A ladle for pasta water
- A chopping board and knife
Sundried Tomato & Chorizo Pasta A Flavor-Packed, Quick and Easy Meal
Cuisine: SpanishDifficulty: Easy3
servings5
minutes10
minutes15
minutesIngredients
80g diced chorizo
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
100g sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp Italian herbs
1 tsp tomato purée
100g passata
300g (dry) rigatoni
70g lightest cream cheese
Directions
- Cook the Chorizo and Veggies
Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the diced chorizo, chopped onion, sundried tomatoes, and minced garlic until softened. You’ll want the chorizo to release its delicious oils and flavor. - Add Herbs and Tomato Purée
Once your veggies are softened, stir in the Italian herbs and tomato purée. Coat everything in the herbs and tomato purée as it cooks, creating a lovely sauce base. - Boil the Pasta
While the veggies are cooking, boil your rigatoni in a separate pan. You want the pasta to cook al dente, as it will finish cooking in the sauce. - Combine with Passata and Cream Cheese
To your chorizo mixture, add the passata, cream cheese, and a ladle of pasta water. Stir it all together to create a rich, creamy sauce. If it gets too thick, add a bit more pasta water to loosen it up. - Toss in the Pasta
Finally, add your cooked rigatoni to the pan with the sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is nicely coated in the creamy, flavorful sauce. Dive in and enjoy!
Notes
- Pasta Water Be sure to save some pasta water before draining it. Adding it to the sauce helps to thicken the sauce and ensures the pasta absorbs all that flavor.
- Cream Cheese Consistency If your sauce gets too thick after adding the cream cheese, don’t be afraid to add more pasta water to get the perfect creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Side Salad Serve this pasta alongside a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the dish. A squeeze of lemon on top adds a refreshing kick.
- Crusty Bread A slice of crusty bread is perfect for mopping up the sauce.
- Cheese Topping Sprinkle some grated Parmesan or Pecorino on top to add an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
Fun Fact
Did you know that chorizo, a popular Spanish sausage, is packed with a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta? It’s made with pork and seasoned with paprika, garlic, and other spices, giving your dish that savory, irresistible flavor!
Conclusion
This Sundried Tomato & Chorizo Pasta is a quick, flavorful dish that’s sure to please everyone at the dinner table. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a hearty meal ready in 15 minutes that’s bursting with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for one, two, or the whole family, this pasta dish is a guaranteed winner! Ready to give it a whirl? Trust me, you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy!
