Chorizo is one of my favourite ingredients to cook with when I want to add instant flavour to a meal.
It’s salty, smoky and rich, and because it releases its beautifully spiced oil as it cooks, a small amount can transform an entire dish. That’s why it works so well in everything from quick pasta dinners to hearty stews and soups.
If you’ve got a ring of chorizo sitting in the fridge and you’re wondering what to cook with it, you’re in the right place.
Below you’ll find a collection of my favourite easy chorizo recipes for dinner, including:
- quick weeknight pasta dishes
- comforting one-pot stews
- flavour-packed rice and grain bowls
- lighter meals with fish and vegetables
Whether you’re looking for something rich and indulgent or a quick midweek dinner, chorizo has a way of making simple ingredients taste fantastic.
If you’re looking for easy dinners, you might also like to browse my main collection of simple weeknight dinners, where I’ve gathered together all of my favourite weeknight meals in one place. It’s the best place to start if you want simple, reliable dinners that are quick to cook and full of flavour.
What is Chorizo?
Chorizo is a type of pork sausage that originates from Spain and Portugal, though it is now widely available in supermarkets around the world.
Spanish chorizo is typically cured and ready to cook, which means it can simply be sliced or diced and added straight to a pan. It gets its distinctive deep red colour and smoky flavour from smoked paprika, which is one of the defining ingredients.
There are also different styles of chorizo. Some are mild and sweet, while others are quite spicy depending on the paprika used.
Most of the recipes on this page use Spanish-style cured chorizo, which is firm and sliceable. Mexican chorizo is different – it’s usually raw and needs to be cooked more like minced meat – so it behaves quite differently in recipes.
Mild vs Spicy Chorizo
Most supermarkets sell chorizo in two main varieties: mild and spicy.
Mild chorizo tends to be slightly sweeter and smoky, while spicy chorizo contains hotter paprika or chilli and has a stronger kick.
Both types work well in the recipes on this page, so the choice mainly comes down to personal taste. If you’re cooking for children or prefer gentler flavours, mild chorizo is usually the safer option.
If you enjoy bold flavours, spicy chorizo can add an extra layer of warmth to dishes like stews and pasta sauces.
How to Cook With Chorizo
One of the best things about cooking with chorizo is that it’s incredibly simple.
A favourite technique of mine is to fry sliced chorizo in a dry pan over medium heat. Because chorizo contains plenty of fat, it doesn’t need additional oil. As it cooks, the sausage releases a beautiful red paprika oil that becomes the flavour base for the dish.
Once the chorizo has started to crisp and release its oils, you can add other ingredients – onions, garlic, vegetables or pasta – directly into the pan so they cook in that rich, smoky oil.
This simple method is the starting point for many of the recipes below.
Quick Tips for Cooking with Chorizo
If you’re new to cooking with chorizo, a few simple tips can help you get the best flavour from it.
- Slice it fairly thickly – Thin slices can become crisp very quickly, while thicker slices stay juicy and release more flavour.
- Let it brown slightly – Allowing the chorizo to crisp a little helps deepen its flavour.
- Use the oil it releases – The paprika oil is one of the best parts of cooking with chorizo, so use it as the base for the rest of your ingredients.
- Balance the richness – Because chorizo is quite rich, pairing it with vegetables, beans or grains helps create balanced meals.
What Goes Well With Chorizo?
Chorizo is surprisingly versatile and pairs well with a wide range of ingredients.
- Pasta is an obvious partner. The smoky oil coats pasta beautifully and works well with both tomato-based sauces and creamy sauces.
- It’s also excellent with beans and chickpeas, which soak up the paprika-rich oils and create deeply comforting stews.
- Chorizo also pairs wonderfully with seafood, particularly scallops, prawns and white fish. The richness of the sausage contrasts beautifully with delicate seafood flavours.
- Finally, vegetables such as peas, spinach, tomatoes and peppers help balance the richness of chorizo and create well-rounded dishes.
What Vegetables Work Best with Chorizo?
Because chorizo is rich and smoky, it pairs particularly well with vegetables that add freshness or sweetness.
Some of my favourite combinations include:
- Peas – their sweetness balances the saltiness of chorizo beautifully.
- Spinach – wilted spinach works well in pasta and stews.
- Tomatoes – fresh or tinned tomatoes create a natural sauce base.
- Peppers – roasted or sautéed peppers complement the paprika flavour of chorizo.
- Beans and chickpeas – these absorb the flavoured oils and create hearty dishes.
You’ll notice many of these ingredients appearing throughout the recipes in this collection.
Chorizo Pasta Recipes
Chorizo works brilliantly in pasta because the paprika-infused oil clings to the pasta and creates an instant flavourful sauce. These pasta recipes are perfect for quick dinners when you want something rich and satisfying.
Creamy Chorizo and Leek Pasta
A seriously easy five-ingredient pasta dish with chorizo and sweet leeks, finished with a creamy sauce.
15 Minute Creamy Chorizo and Leek Pasta
Spanish Style Pasta with Chorizo and Olives
A quick Mediterranean-inspired pasta packed with smoky chorizo, tomatoes and olives.
Spanish Style Pasta With Chorizo and Olives
Chorizo and Halloumi Pasta
A rich and indulgent pasta combining creamy sauce, salty halloumi and smoky chorizo.
Creamy Chorizo and Halloumi Pasta (Easy 30 Minute Dinner)
Chorizo and Scallops with Pasta
A simple but luxurious pasta dish where sweet scallops pair beautifully with spicy chorizo.
Chorizo and Scallops With Pasta
One Pot Chorizo Dinners
Chorizo is perfect for one pot meals because its strong flavour spreads throughout the entire dish as it cooks.
These recipes are ideal for weeknight dinners when you want something hearty with minimal washing up.
One Pot Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew
A warming, flavour-packed stew with tender chicken, smoky chorizo and creamy butter beans.
One Pot Chicken, Chorizo and Butter Bean Stew
One Pot Chorizo and Pea Pilaf
A quick rice dish where the paprika oil from the chorizo flavours the entire pan.
One Pot Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
A simple, comforting stew with chickpeas, spinach and plenty of smoky flavour.
One Pot Chorizo and Chickpea Stew
Chorizo with Fish and Seafood
Chorizo might seem like an unusual partner for seafood, but it works beautifully. The smoky richness of the sausage contrasts with the delicate sweetness of fish and shellfish.
Chorizo and Scallops with Vegetable Couscous
A flavourful combination of seared scallops, spicy chorizo and light couscous.
Chorizo and Scallops with Vegetable Couscous
Baked Cod with Creamy Chorizo Beans
Tender baked cod served with a rich stew of chorizo, beans and spinach.
Baked Cod with Creamy Chorizo Beans
Quick Chorizo Recipes
If you’re looking for a fast dinner, these recipes come together quickly while still delivering plenty of flavour.
Creamy Chorizo Gnocchi with Peas
Soft gnocchi in a creamy sauce with smoky chorizo and sweet peas.
Creamy Chorizo Gnocchi With Peas
Chorizo and Feta Giant Couscous Salad
A versatile dish that works equally well served warm for dinner or cold for lunch.
Chorizo and Feta Giant Couscous Salad
Creamy Butter Beans with Honey Glazed Chorizo
Comforting butter beans topped with sweet peppers and sticky, caramelised chorizo.
Creamy Beans With Honey Glazed Chorizo
Chorizo Breakfast and Brunch Ideas
Chorizo isn’t just for dinner – its bold flavour also works beautifully in brunch dishes and savoury bakes (but these all work perfectly as breakfast-for-dinner meals too!)
Smoked Paprika Baked Eggs
Simple baked eggs with smoky paprika flavours.
Cheese and Chorizo Omelette
A quick four-ingredient omelette that makes a satisfying breakfast or light dinner.
Chorizo Breakfast Bake
A hearty one-pan bake with potatoes, eggs and sweet chilli sauce.
Chorizo, Pepper and Mozzarella Frittata
A simple frittata with sweet peppers, spicy chorizo and creamy mozzarella.
Chorizo, Pepper and Mozzarella Frittata
Soups and Comforting Chorizo Dishes
Chorizo adds depth and warmth to soups and slow-cooked dishes, making them perfect for colder evenings.
Leek and Chorizo Soup
A creamy five-ingredient soup that’s comforting and full of flavour.
Chorizo and Pea Pearl Barley Risotto
A hearty risotto-style dish with nutty barley, smoky chorizo and sweet peas.
Chorizo and Pea Pearl Barley Risotto Recipe
More Creative Recipes with Chorizo
Chorizo is such a flexible ingredient that it also works wonderfully in more unusual dishes.
Cheddar and Chorizo Muffins
Crumbly savoury muffins that are perfect for breakfast or snacks.
Chorizo and Mozzarella Hot Sandwich
A gooey toasted sandwich packed with chorizo, cheese and olives.
Chorizo and Mozzarella Hot Sandwich
Why Chorizo Is Such a Useful Ingredient
One of the reasons I love cooking with chorizo is that it delivers so much flavour with so little effort.
Because it’s already cured and heavily seasoned, you don’t need many additional ingredients to build a delicious meal. Even a small amount can transform a simple pasta, stew or rice dish.
It’s also a fantastic ingredient to keep in the fridge for those evenings when you need a quick dinner idea but don’t want to start from scratch.
How to Store Chorizo
One of the reasons chorizo is such a useful ingredient to keep in the fridge is that it stores well and lasts longer than many fresh meats.
Once opened, a ring of cured chorizo can usually be kept in the refrigerator for around one to two weeks, as long as it is wrapped well or stored in an airtight container.
If you only need a small amount for a recipe, simply slice off what you need and return the rest to the fridge.
Chorizo can also be frozen, either whole or sliced. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to three months. Because it is already cured, it defrosts quickly and can often be added straight to a pan from frozen.
This makes it an excellent ingredient to keep on hand for quick dinners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Cook Chorizo Without Oil?
Yes — in most cases you don’t need to add any oil when cooking chorizo.
Chorizo contains plenty of fat, which melts as it heats and creates a beautifully flavoured cooking oil in the pan.
For best results:
- Start the chorizo in a cold or lightly heated pan
- Cook over medium heat
- Allow the sausage to release its oils slowly
Once the oil has rendered, you can use it to cook onions, garlic or vegetables. This is one of the easiest ways to build flavour in dishes like pasta sauces, stews and rice dishes.
Can you eat chorizo raw?
Spanish cured chorizo is already cured and technically safe to eat without cooking, though it is usually heated in recipes to release its flavourful oils.
Is chorizo very spicy?
Not always. Many chorizos are mild and smoky rather than hot. Always check the label to see whether the sausage is mild or spicy.
What is the best pasta to cook with chorizo?
Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli and rigatoni work particularly well because they catch the paprika-rich sauce.
More Easy Dinner Ideas
If you enjoy recipes like these, you might also like exploring some of my other collections:
- Pasta Recipes – quick and comforting pasta dinners
- One Pot Dinner Recipes – simple meals with minimal washing up
- Chicken Recipes – easy chicken dishes for busy weeknights
