Spanish Pasta Toss

Take your taste buds on a vibrant culinary journey with Spanish Pasta Toss, a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with rich and smoky Spanish chorizo, sautéed garlic, and a medley of fresh vegetables including colorful bell peppers, ripe Roma tomatoes, and baby spinach. Enhanced with a touch of smoked paprika for that signature Spanish flair, this pasta dish is as aromatic as it is delicious. Finished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese, it's a hearty yet light meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. Whether served as a main course or a crowd-pleasing side, this pasta toss is a winner for lovers of bold Mediterranean flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 oz Spanish chorizo sausage, sliced into rounds
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chorizo slices and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they release their oils and begin to brown slightly.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 4

Stir in the diced red and yellow bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 5

Add the chopped Roma tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir to combine and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and toss in the baby spinach. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the spinach wilts.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it in the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, gradually stir in the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.

Step 9

Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the pasta and toss gently to combine. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1189.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2558.1

Total Fat 110.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 149.5mg	0%
Sodium 4919.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 287.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.0g	0%
Total Sugars 15.8g
Protein 107.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 919.0mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 2414.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.6%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 44.7%