Deliciously Healthy: Quick Creamy Chorizo Pasta Recipe with 48g Protein

Finding a dinner that feels indulgent yet fits a fitness-focused lifestyle is a culinary achievement. UK-based nutritionist Scott Baptie has created a creamy chorizo pasta recipe that's a true delight. This dish combines smoky chorizo with lean pork mince and a rich, velvety sauce, all while keeping the calorie count impressively low.

Scott describes this pasta as 'basically a hug in a bowl,' and it's designed to aid muscle recovery while keeping you satisfied long after your meal. Plus, it comes together in just over half an hour, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 1 red onion, finely diced

• 10g garlic, diced

• 1 stick celery, finely diced

• 2 small carrots, finely diced

• 100g chorizo sausage, finely diced

• 500g 5% pork mince

• 1 tbsp tomato purée

• 400g chopped tomatoes

• 125ml dry red wine

• 1 tsp mixed herbs

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 50g low-fat cream cheese

• 25g grated parmesan

• 300g rigatoni

Method

1. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the onion, celery, and carrot (this mixture is called sofrito) along with the chorizo for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

3. Stir in the pork mince and brown. Then, add the tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, red wine, mixed herbs, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes as you cook the rigatoni.

4. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of pasta water.

5. Finish the sauce by stirring in the low-fat cream cheese for that creamy texture. Serve over the rigatoni, top with parmesan, and enjoy your delicious creation!

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 627

• Protein: 48g

• Carbs: 66g

• Fat: 19g

• Prep Time: 10 mins

• Cook Time: 25 mins

• Total Time: 35 mins

• Serves: 4