One-Pot Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Pasta

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

A vibrant and hearty pasta dish featuring spicy chorizo simmered in a rich tomato sauce all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup. This mexican-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs chorizo sausage, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds chorizo sausage
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 8 oz sliced chorizo sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until it releases its oils and begins to crisp on the edges.
2. Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced medium red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the mixture is fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 3 cups chicken broth, 12 oz penne pasta, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Cook uncovered for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors and thicken the sauce further. Serve hot.