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Delicious, easy, and creamy Chorizo Pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes. The creamy sauce complements the chorizo’s spicy kick, resulting in a warm, comforting dish perfect for a cold day. 

an up close shot of a bowl of chorizo pasta topped with parmesan and parsley
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What is Chorizo?

Chorizo is a super tasty sausage that originated in Spain and is a popular ingredient in Latin American and Mexican cooking. There are basically two main kinds of chorizo: Spanish chorizo, which is a cured sausage with a smoky kick, and Mexican chorizo, a fresh and spicy sausage that you’ll find spicing up all sorts of dishes. 

Chorizo can be made mild or spicy, depending on spice tolerance and preferences. It is also popular veganized with a soy-based chorizo. Whichever version you choose, chorizo is full of flavor and adds the most delicious flair to this pasta!

Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe

A dreamy, flavorful Chorizo Pasta recipe made with a creamy tomato sauce base of tomato paste, cream cheese, parmesan, half and half, garlic, onion, and chicken broth simmered and tossed with fresh pasta, chorizo sausage and loaded with baby spinach for extra veggies. 

This hearty and filling pasta is the perfect option for a cozy, comforting weeknight dinner or double the batch for a Sunday family dinner. Here’s a few more reasons to love this dish:

  • 22 grams of protein
  • Ready in just 30 minutes
  • Easy to make vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free
  • Customizable to your spice preferences
  • Kid-friendly (my 4-year-old devoured this dish!)

Watch a Short Video of This Recipe

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients in small bowls and labeled.
  • Rigatoni pasta: Use gluten-free or regular pasta, depending on your dietary needs and preferences. I used rigatoni, but use your favorite shape. Farfalle and penne pasta are also great options. 
  • Olive oil: You can also substitute butter or vegan butter if preferred. 
  • Chorizo: You can use any type of chorizo – Mexican, Spanish, spicy, or mild. I used mild to cook for my family, and even my 4-year-old devoured this dish! Remove from the casing or cut into ½ inch slices. 
  • Onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Tomato paste
  • Chicken broth
  • Half and half: You can also use heavy cream or coconut milk instead. 
  • Cream cheese: Use your favorite cream cheese brand or dairy-free cream cheese for a dairy-free version. Kite Hill makes a great cream cheese alternative. Let it sit at room temperature to soften before using.  
  • Parmesan cheese: Grated, plus use more garnish. 
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Baby spinach
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes

Where Can I Buy Chorizo?

Chorizo is popular and readily available at most local grocery stores and specialty markets. Trader Joe’s famously carries soy chorizo, which is a good option for a vegan version. Check your local grocery store’s meat and seafood section, where other types of sausages and cured meats are located. 

How to Make Creamy Chorizo Pasta

numbered step by step photos showing how to make this recipe

Step 1: Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water, and cook al dente according to package instructions.

Step 2: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add chorizo and onion, and cook stirring until crispy – about 6-7 minutes.

Step 3: Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add tomato paste and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and scrape the bottom of the pan until reduced by half – about 4 minutes.

Step 4: Stir in the cream, then bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then stir in cream cheese and parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Reduce the heat to low, then simmer until thickened to your liking. Taste and season with salt & pepper as needed. 

Step 6: Stir in spinach until wilted, then add the cooked pasta. Stir to combine.

Step 7: Serve warm, garnished with parsley, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan.

an overhead shot of creamy chorizo pasta with a fork resting on the side of the bowl

Expert Tips

  • Dairy Free: Use vegan cream cheese, coconut milk in place of half and half, and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free. I prefer rigatoni, but you can use any short pasta of your choice.
  • Vegan: Use soy chorizo, vegan cream cheese, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. 

Serving Tips

  • Serve this creamy chorizo pasta dish with a side salad and garlic bread or by itself. Garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and pepper flakes to taste. 

Storage Tips

  • This pasta is best enjoyed freshly made, but you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Microwave to reheat.
a fork holding to pieces of pasta

Recipe FAQs

How many calories are in creamy chorizo pasta?

There are 602 calories and 22 grams of protein in a serving of this pasta. Keep in mind that any swaps or substitutions with ingredients will affect the nutritional information. 

If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!

an up close shot of a bowl of chorizo pasta topped with parmesan and parsley
5 from 2 votes
Servings: 4 servings

The Ultimate Creamy Chorizo Pasta

Delicious, easy, and creamy Chorizo Pasta that comes together in just 30 minutes. The creamy sauce complements the chorizo's spicy kick, resulting in a warm, comforting dish perfect for a cold day. 
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
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Video

Ingredients 

  • 8 oz rigatoni pasta, I used gluten free pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz chorizo, removed from casing or cut in 1/2 inch slices
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup half and half, or heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • Parsley and red pepper flakes, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Boil pasta in salted water, and cook al dente according to package instructions.
  • Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add chorizo and onion, and cook stirring until crispy – about 6-7 minutes.
  • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add tomato paste and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and scrape the bottom of the pan until reduced by half – about 4-minutes.
  • Stir in heavy cream then bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer then stir in cream cheese and parmesan cheese.
  • Reduce the heat to low then simmer until thickened to your liking. Taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.
  • Stir in spinach until wilted, then add the cooked pasta. Stir to combine.
  • Serve warm, garnished with parsley, red pepper flakes and more parmesan.

Notes

Expert Tips

  • Dairy Free: Use vegan cream cheese, coconut milk in place of half and half, and nutritional yeast in place of parmesan.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free. I prefer rigatoni, but you can use any short pasta of your choice.
  • Vegan: Use soy chorizo, vegan cream cheese, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. 

Serving Tips

  • Serve this creamy chorizo pasta dish with a side salad and garlic bread or by itself. Garnish with parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and pepper flakes to taste. 

Storage Tips

  • This pasta is best enjoyed freshly made, but you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Microwave to reheat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving – makes 4, Calories: 602kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 81mg, Sodium: 919mg, Potassium: 423mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2376IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 156mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!

What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Jean Choi

Iโ€™m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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4 Comments

  1. Doreen says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was simple to make, easy to double in size. Great flavor, family loved it!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thank you so much! Always makes my day when my recipes are loved by the whole whole family.

  2. Alejandra says:

    5 stars
    I made this for a lunch meal prep and it was delicious. I added some bacon I had that I was trying to get rid of. Overall really easy to make and super good!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Sounds delicious! Thanks so much for leaving a review, I’m glad you enjoyed it.