Chorizo & Red Pepper Pasta
This chorizo & red pepper pasta is a fast, flavourful supper built on a rich base of paprika-spiced sausage, softened onions, and sweet peppers. The rendered chorizo oil coats the pasta beautifully, while a little reserved pasta water gives you a glossy sauce without fuss.
Finish with parmesan and parsley for freshness, then serve straight away while everything is silky and hot. It is a reliable, crowd-pleasing classic for busy evenings.
Ingredients
- Salt, to taste
- 1 Red Pepper sliced
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 400g Pasta fusilli, or spaghetti)
- Parsley chopped, for garnish, Fresh
- 1 Onion sliced, large
- 50g Parmesan grated
- Pasta, to taste
- 250g Chorizo sliced
Method
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo slices and cook until they start to release their oils and become slightly crispy, about 5 minutes.
- Add the sliced red bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and the onions are translucent, about 8 minutes.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the chorizo and vegetable mixture in the skillet. If the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well.
- Serve the pasta hot, sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
The key to bringing out the flavors in this dish is to let the chorizo and vegetables caramelize well in the skillet, as this adds depth to the overall taste.
For a lighter version, you can substitute chorizo with turkey chorizo and use whole wheat pasta. This dish pairs wonderfully with a side of green salad or garlic bread.