One-Pan Chorizo Zucchini Pasta Easy, Flavourful Dinner in Under 30 Minutes

Looking for a quick and satisfying dinner with a little spice? This One-Pan Chorizo Zucchini Pasta brings smoky Spanish chorizo, tender zucchini, and pasta together in a rich tomato sauce—all made in just one pan and under 30 minutes. Weeknight dinner = sorted!

Servings: 2 - Prep: 10 min - Cook: 20 min - Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 120g dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)

• 100g Spanish chorizo, sliced

• 1 tsp olive oil

• ½ small onion, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• 1 small zucchini, sliced into half moons

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• 200g canned diced tomatoes

• 150ml chicken stock (or water)

• 25g grated Parmesan (plus extra to serve)

• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Prep the Veggies & Chorizo:

Slice the zucchini into half-moons, dice the bell pepper, and finely chop the onion. Slice the chorizo.

Crisp the Chorizo:

Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and fry until crispy. Remove and set aside.

Sauté the Veggies:

In the same pan, add the chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and bell pepper, and sauté for 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic and smoked paprika.

Make the Sauce:

Pour in the canned tomatoes and chicken stock. Add the dried pasta and stir well.

Simmer Until Tender:

Cover the pan and simmer for 8–10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked. Add a splash of water if needed.

Finish with Cheese:

Stir in the Parmesan cheese and return the crispy chorizo. Cover for a minute to melt the cheese.

Serve:

Top with extra Parmesan and enjoy warm!

Tips for the Best Chorizo Zucchini Pasta

Choose the Right Pasta

Short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni work best in one-pan dishes—they cook evenly and hold onto the sauce.

Control the Heat

Chorizo adds smoky flavour, but it can also bring heat. Adjust spiciness by choosing mild or spicy chorizo—or balance it with a dollop of Greek yoghurt or a drizzle of cream.

Make it Vegetarian

Swap the chorizo for smoked tofu or your favourite plant-based sausage and use veggie stock for a delicious vegetarian version.

Store Leftovers

This pasta stores well for 2–3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently with a splash of water or stock to loosen the sauce.