When you think "pasta," you probably think "Italy." When you think "noodles," you probably think "Asia." As it turns out, those two regions of the world don't have a monopoly on macaroni - the lovely country of Spain has taken this culinary tradition into its own hands, and the result is absolutely scrumptious!
The only thing better than a traditional Spanish pasta dish is a Spanish pasta dish prepared using fresh ingredients from the Dagostino handcrafted pasta shop! Today, we're bringing a taste of Marvelous Madrid to the Bayou with a simple, delicious recipe for Macarrones con Chorizo.
Macarrones con Chorizo is Spanish for "Pasta with Sausage." While it may sound exotic, it uses ingredients that you can buy online, right in the Dagostino handmade pasta shop! You can purchase everything else fresh from your local grocery store.
Keep reading to learn more about this dish, including a recipe to help you make it at home using our small batch, handmade, air-dried Dagostino pasta!
- What is Macarrones Con Chorizo?
- Gather the Ingredients
- Prepare the Dish
- Serving Suggestions
- Dig Into Delicioso Dagostino Spanish Pasta
What is Macarrones Con Chorizo?
In the city-state of Madrid in Spain, Macarrones con Chorizo is a traditional pasta dish. This nostalgic comfort food has become so popular that you can now find it across the entire country. That probably has something to do with how easy it is to prepare!
The dish uses two ingredients that you will find in many traditional Spanish dishes: chorizo and manchego cheese. In the Spanish tradition, chorizo is highly seasoned, smoked pork sausage. In this recipe, you will slice it thin before adding it to the dish.
Manchego cheese is sheep's milk cheese that comes from La Mancha in Central Spain. It has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor. Cheesemongers in the region age crumbly manchego for up to two years before selling it.
If you can't find traditional Manchego cheese at your local market, there are plenty of worthy substitutes. The easiest swap is Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese. The fresher your cheese is, the more delicious the dish will be.
Today, we'll be sharing our version of the traditional dish.
Gather the Ingredients
You will want to start by choosing your favorite pasta shape from the Dagostino online store. The dish is traditionally made using penne pasta, but you have some room to play! Consider making the dish with rotini, small shell pasta, or even one of our fun Louisiana pasta shapes!
You will need one pound of pasta to make this recipe, which serves four to six hungry dinner guests.
You will also need:
- 1 smoked Spanish chorizo, skin removed
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 4 ounces shredded manchego cheese (substitute Parmesan or Pecorino Romano)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
You can make your own tomato sauce, which is traditionally seasoned with oregano and basil. To make things easier, we suggest picking up a jar of our Dagostino smooth tomato sauce.
You will also need a broiler-safe baking dish. You can serve the complete dish while it's bubbling hot, right out of the dish!
Prepare the Dish
- Thinly slice your chorizo. Add the olive oil to a saucepan and cook the sliced chorizo until heated through. This should take about four minutes. Remove the chorizo from the pan, but leave the hot oil behind!
- Add the chopped onion and the salt to the saucepan. Lower the heat and cook for up to ten minutes, until the onions have caramelized.
- Prepare the pasta per package directions, until it is al dente. Drain the pasta then return it to the same pot. Add the chorizo, onions, and tomato sauce until coated and combined.
- Pour the pasta into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle generously with your shredded cheese of choice.
- Broil the pasta for about three to four minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and completely melted.
- If you wish, garnish with some fresh oregano, basil, or parsley to add a pop of color and flavor.
- Dish the pasta out into bowls and enjoy it while it's still hot!
Serving Suggestions
To take this meal from the family table to a romantic date night, you might consider pairing it with some Spanish wine! We think this dish goes best with a red wine from the region. They have been growing superlative wine grapes in Madrid since the eighth century.
The most common grape varietals grown in the region include merlot, syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. If you can't find a Spanish wine locally, your favorite red will do!
Every saucy pasta dish goes great with bread. Why not soak up the extra sauce with a piece of bread originating from Spain? Traditional bread in Spain is "pan basico" - literally basic bread.
Italy is Spain's neighbor, so you can just as easily serve this pasta dish with a crusty side of any Italian bread. It won't be wholly authentic, but it will definitely be delicious!
Dig into Delicioso Dagostino Spanish Pasta
There is a version of pasta served in nearly every country, so hungry families around the world get to enjoy the comfort of a homecooked pasta dinner! The only thing Spain is missing is the delicious taste of handmade pasta from Dagostino!
Craft this Spanish pasta recipe with your favorite Dagostino pasta shape and you'll be able to take your tastebuds on a delicious trip around the world without leaving home!
Do you have everything you need? You can pick up the ingredients you're missing by visiting our online store. When you're done, snap a pic - and don't forget to tag us on Instagram @dagostinopasta!