Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù
A hearty Italian pasta dish featuring a spicy tomato sauce simmered with chorizo and finished with fresh herbs and grated Pecorino. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs penne pasta, diced Spanish chorizo sausage, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz, diced Spanish chorizo sausage
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 1 1/2 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, grated Pecorino Romano cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz diced Spanish chorizo and cook for 4-5 minutes until rendered and slightly crisp.
- Step 3: Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion and sauté with chorizo for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the ragù for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 5: Add the drained penne pasta and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta, adding reserved 1/2 cup pasta water a little at a time until sauce clings to the penne.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Serve immediately garnished with extra basil if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Rustic Italian Graffiti Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Chorizo Ragù?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
