Spicy Gnocchi with Chorizo and Harissa Sauce Recipe: A Tangy Delight

Crispy, pillowy gnocchi dancing with spicy chorizo in a harissa sauce promises an explosion of flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Intense smokiness from the chorizo blends perfectly with the fiery harissa, creating a Mediterranean-inspired dish that breaks free from traditional pasta expectations.

Soft potato dumplings absorb the rich, complex sauce, delivering a punch of warmth in every single bite.

Home cooks searching for something beyond bland weeknight meals will find this recipe irresistibly exciting.

Chorizo brings depth while harissa contributes a vibrant, tangy kick that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Unexpected combinations make this dish a conversation starter at any gathering.

You’ll want to dive right into this culinary adventure that balances heat, texture, and pure deliciousness.

Why Gnocchi With Chorizo And Harissa Sauce Is Bold And Creamy

• Spice Up Your Meal: Dive into a bold, flavor-packed dish that combines the smoky heat of harissa with the rich, spicy chorizo for an unforgettable culinary experience.
• Master Complex Flavors Easily: Blend sophisticated ingredients like harissa and chorizo in a straightforward cooking process that transforms simple gnocchi into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Quick Comfort Food Upgrade: Transform basic gnocchi into a gourmet dinner with minimal prep and cooking steps, perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinner parties.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping proteins, or adding extra vegetables to make this dish uniquely yours.

Everything In Gnocchi With Chorizo And Harissa Sauce

• Gnocchi: Soft potato dumplings that provide a pillowy base for the rich and spicy sauce.
• Chorizo: Spicy Spanish sausage that adds deep, smoky flavor and rich complexity to the dish.
• Harissa Paste: North African chili paste that brings intense heat and aromatic spiciness to the sauce.

• Onions, Garlic: Classic flavor base that builds a robust foundation for the sauce.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and smooth sauce that balances the spicy chorizo and harissa.
• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking medium and enhances overall flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the dish's complex flavors.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, green note and visual appeal.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds a citrusy brightness that cuts through the rich sauce.

How To Cook Gnocchi With Chorizo And Creamy Harissa

Step 1: Chop Chorizo Into Tasty Bits

Slice chorizo into small, uniform cubes that will cook evenly and spread delicious flavor throughout the dish.

Step 2: Heat Pan And Sauté Aromatics

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Garlic

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add onions and garlic, cooking until they become soft and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 3: Brown Chorizo Perfectly

Toss diced chorizo into the skillet, cooking until the edges crisp up and the sausage releases its rich, spicy oils, which should take about 5-6 minutes.

Step 4: Add Harissa Magic

Stir harissa paste into the chorizo mixture, coating everything to create a deep, smoky flavor profile that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer and thicken for 2-3 minutes, creating a luxurious base.

Step 6: Cook Gnocchi

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop gnocchi into the water and cook until they float to the surface, typically 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Combine Gnocchi And Sauce

Drain gnocchi, keeping a small amount of pasta water. Gently fold the gnocchi into the chorizo-harissa sauce, ensuring each pillow gets perfectly coated.

Step 8: Season And Finish

• Fresh parsley
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Serve immediately for a mouthwatering meal that brings together spicy, creamy, and bright flavors.

Smart Tips For Creamy Gnocchi With Chorizo

• Chop Chorizo Carefully: Cut chorizo into uniform, small cubes to guarantee even cooking and consistent flavor throughout the dish.
• Watch Oil Temperature: Heat olive oil until it shimmers, ensuring the perfect sauté environment for onions and garlic without burning.
• Balance Spicy Cream Sauce: Adjust harissa and cream ratio to control heat intensity and create a smooth, rich sauce that complements the gnocchi.
• Save Pasta Water: Keep a small amount of starchy pasta water to help thicken the sauce and enhance the gnocchi's coating if needed.
• Garnish with Brightness: Add fresh parsley and lemon zest at the end to cut through the richness and provide a fresh, zesty finish to the dish.

Ways To Switch Up Your Gnocchi With Chorizo

• Vegetarian Gnocchi Ragu: Replace chorizo with plant-based sausage crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains rich, savory flavors.
• Mediterranean Seafood Gnocchi: Swap chorizo with succulent shrimp or crispy pancetta, adding white wine and fresh herbs like oregano and thyme for a coastal-inspired dish.
• Spicy Green Gnocchi: Incorporate spinach or kale into the sauce, using green harissa instead of traditional red, and add roasted green chiles for extra heat and complexity.
• Nordic-Inspired Gnocchi: Use smoked salmon instead of chorizo, blend dill into the cream sauce, and finish with pickled red onions for a Scandinavian-style interpretation.

What To Serve With Gnocchi And Harissa Sauce

• Pair with Bold Spanish Red Wine: Select a robust Rioja or Tempranillo that matches the spicy chorizo and rich harissa sauce, complementing the dish's intense flavor profile.
• Crisp Citrus Salad Side: Create a refreshing arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creamy sauce and provide a light, zesty contrast to the hearty gnocchi.
• Cooling Yogurt Drizzle: Top the dish with a quick herbed yogurt sauce featuring mint and dill, which helps balance the heat from the harissa and adds a creamy, tangy element.
• Mediterranean Olive Tapenade: Serve a small side of olive tapenade to enhance the Mediterranean flavors, providing a salty and briny note that elevates the overall dining experience.

How To Store Gnocchi With Chorizo The Right Way

• Store leftover gnocchi in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring the sauce and gnocchi are completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer the cooled gnocchi and sauce to a freezer-safe container, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 1 month to preserve its delicious flavors.
• Thaw frozen gnocchi in the refrigerator overnight, then gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to restore moisture and prevent drying.
• When reheating, stir frequently and add a small amount of liquid to maintain the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent the gnocchi from becoming tough or rubbery.

FAQs On Gnocchi With Chorizo And Creamy Sauce

• What is harissa and why is it used in this recipe?

Harissa is a North African chili paste made from roasted red peppers, spices, and herbs. It adds a complex, spicy, and smoky flavor to the dish, enhancing the richness of the chorizo and creating a vibrant sauce.

• Can I substitute chorizo with another protein?

Yes, you can replace chorizo with spicy Italian sausage, pancetta, or even diced chicken. Each alternative will bring a different flavor profile to the dish while maintaining its overall spicy character.

• Is this dish spicy?

The spiciness level depends on the harissa paste you use. Some harissa is mild, while others are quite hot. You can control the heat by choosing a harissa paste that matches your spice tolerance or by adding less of it to the sauce.

Gnocchi with Chorizo and Harissa Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty gnocchi with chorizo and harissa sauce delivers a spicy Mediterranean journey through Italy and Spain’s culinary landscapes. Robust flavors and bold spices dance together, creating a memorable meal that satisfies deep comfort food cravings while exciting adventurous palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein:

• 500 g / 1.1 lb gnocchi
• 200 g / 7 oz chorizo, diced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp harissa paste
• 120 ml / 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 30 ml / 2 tbsp olive oil

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

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Instructions

1. Dice the chorizo into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer before adding the chopped onions and minced garlic.
3. Sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
4. Add the diced chorizo to the skillet, cooking until it releases its rich, spicy oils and develops a slightly crispy exterior, about 5-6 minutes.
5. Stir in the harissa paste, coating the chorizo and onion mixture to infuse deep, smoky flavors into the base of the sauce.
6. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, reducing the heat to medium-low and allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken for 2-3 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook the gnocchi according to package instructions, typically 2-3 minutes or until they float to the surface.
8. Drain the gnocchi, reserving a small amount of pasta water, and gently fold them into the chorizo-harissa sauce, ensuring each pillow is well-coated.
9. Season the dish with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a harmonious balance of spicy, creamy flavors.
10. Finish by sprinkling fresh parsley over the gnocchi, then add a bright note with lemon zest and a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.

Notes

• Slice chorizo uniformly to guarantee consistent flavor and even cooking throughout the dish.
• Use high-quality harissa paste for authentic, robust spiciness that elevates the entire sauce.
• Keep reserved pasta water handy for adjusting sauce consistency if it becomes too thick during cooking.
• Consider swapping heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free alternative that maintains creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg