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A full plate of Creamy Chorizo and Spinach Pasta

Creamy Chorizo Pasta with Spinach

Sara
A super flavorful, creamy pasta with spicy chorizo, tomatoes, spinach, and more!
4.82 from 124 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cups
Calories 295 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
  • Kosher Salt & freshly cracked Black Pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups Medium Shells dried pasta
  • 8 oz. fresh Chorizo
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp. Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Half & Half*
  • 4 cups fresh Baby Spinach
  • 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Reserved Pasta Water
  • 2 wedges fresh Lemon

Instructions
 

  • Quarter 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes. Remove the stem and the seeds from the red bell pepper. Finely chop 1/2 Red Bell Pepper and 1/2 Yellow Onion.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper. Stir to coat everything in the oil, then cook for 7-8 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
    Process shot of making Chorizo Pasta
  • Cook 1 1/2 cups Medium Shells in boiling salted water until al dente (about one minute less than the package directions.). To time this best, pour the pasta into the boiling pasta water when you add the chorizo to the softened vegetables.
  • Add 8 oz. fresh Chorizo and 2 cloves Garlic to the pan with the veggies, and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking the chorizo into small pieces as it cooks. Stir in 1/2 tsp. Granulated Sugar, then pour in 1/2 cup Half & Half*. Stir the half & half into the chorizo until it is mostly absorbed, then stir in 4 cups fresh Baby Spinach until it has completely wilted down and mixed into the chorizo sauce.
    Process shot of cooking chorizo and tomato pasta with fresh spinach
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked pasta shells directly into the chorizo and spinach sauce, reserving the pasta water. Stir to coat the pasta entirely in the chorizo and spinach sauce, then turn the heat off from under the skillet.
    Process shot of cooking chorizo and tomato pasta with fresh spinach
  • Stir in 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan Cheese. If you want a creamier pasta, stir in reserved pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until it's as creamy as you like it. Taste the pasta, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
    Process shot of cooking chorizo and tomato pasta with fresh spinach and parmesan
  • Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, and serve immediately (with more parmesan if you like!)

Video

Notes

*Half and half can be swapped with heavy cream.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 295kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 441mgPotassium: 283mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2452IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Chorizo Spinach Pasta, Creamy Chorizo Pasta, Creamy Chorizo Spinach Pasta
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