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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Dice the chorizo into small, uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer before adding the chopped onions and minced garlic.
- Sauté the onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- 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.
- Stir in the harissa paste, coating the chorizo and onion mixture to infuse deep, smoky flavors into the base of the sauce.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Season the dish with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a harmonious balance of spicy, creamy flavors.
- 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