Description
A quick and flavorful pasta recipe that combines savory sausage, smoky chorizo, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests, this Italian-inspired dish delivers bold, comforting flavors with minimal ingredients and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- Sausage: 200g (Italian or spicy sausage, crumbled)
- Chorizo: 100g (diced)
Produce & Herbs
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 100g, chopped (preferably in oil)
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: 2 tbsp, chopped
Dairy
- Mozzarella: 150g (fresh or shredded)
Pantry Items
- Pasta: 250g (penne or rigatoni recommended)
- Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (extra virgin)
- Salt: to taste
- Black Pepper: to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Begin by boiling salted water and cooking your choice of pasta (penne recommended) according to package instructions for al dente, usually about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water.
- Cook the Sausage and Chorizo: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble in the sausage and diced chorizo, cooking until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. This step brings out rich, robust flavors.
- Add Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Next, toss in minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sausage mixture. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, allowing their flavors to meld perfectly.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet, stirring to coat it with the sausage, chorizo, garlic, and tomato mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and stir gently, letting the cheese melt into the warm pasta. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Turn off heat, then stir in chopped fresh basil or parsley for a cool, fresh finish. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and your dish is ready to serve.
Notes
- Choose Quality Sausage: Opt for fresh, flavorful sausage varieties for the best taste impact.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce—its starch helps bind flavors beautifully.
- Don’t Overcook Cheese: Add mozzarella just at the end to avoid over-melting and losing texture.
- Use Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: Tomatoes packed in oil add an extra layer of richness to the sauce.
- Cook Meat on Medium Heat: This ensures even browning without burning or drying out the sausage and chorizo.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg