One-Pot Spicy Chorizo Penne Pasta
A hearty, one-pot pasta with spicy chorizo, tender penne, and a rich tomato sauce. Easy, bold, and topped with fresh Parmesan and basil — comfort food at its finest.
Prep time
10 min
Cook time
20 min
Serves
Ingredients
▼
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 4 clovesgarlic, crushed
- 1 lbground chorizo sausage (if using links, remove casings and mash)
- 1 large jar (~2 cups)organic tomato sauce
- 12 ozpenne pasta
- to tastesalt and black pepper
- ½ cupfreshly grated Parmesan Reggiano
- ¼ cupfresh basil, chopped
Ingredients
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 4 clovesgarlic, crushed
- 1 lbground chorizo sausage (if using links, remove casings and mash)
- 1 large jar (~2 cups)organic tomato sauce
- 12 ozpenne pasta
- to tastesalt and black pepper
- ½ cupfreshly grated Parmesan Reggiano
- ¼ cupfresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
Cook the Chorizo & Sauce
- 1
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- 2
Add ground chorizo and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- 3
Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer 3–4 minutes until heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Combine & Serve
- 1
Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until you reach desired consistency.
- 2
Plate the pasta and top with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Enjoy immediately while hot!
Melissa's Notes
For extra heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic. I love using Central Park Farms carrizio ground chorizo sausage from Langley — if you can't find ground chorizo, remove casings from regular chorizo links and mash. This dish reheats beautifully — just add a splash of water or tomato sauce when reheating.
Nutrition Information
Per serving — based on 6 servings
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.
Join the Nest
Get 10 free recipes — sign up for The Cozy Weeknight Dinner Plan.
Want to save this recipe? Print it out, share with a friend, or follow along on social.