This pasta alla vodka, features a rich tomato cream sauce with red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. It's a mouthwatering weeknight meal in under 30 minutes!
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Why this Recipe Works
This spicy vodka pasta dish went viral after an Instagram story from Gigi Hadid, a celebrity supermodel, in 2020. But it's actually a classic Italian recipe commonly known as Pasta alla Vodka.
The creamy tomato-based sauce is quick and easy to make, but rich and full of flavor, with a hint of heat from dried chili flakes. It's a satisfying weeknight pasta dinner that you can make with common pantry ingredients!
Do I Have to use Vodka?
The vodka balances out the flavors and enhances the fruitiness of the sauce as it is cooked, without making it taste boozy.
But if you prefer to leave it out that is totally fine! It's a delicious sauce with or without the vodka. In fact, Gigi Hadid left it out in her original recipe as well.
If you leave out the vodka, the sauce will taste slightly more acidic from the tomato paste. You can substitute water, apple juice, or white grape juice and a squeeze of lemon juice to help balance the sauce with a hint of sweetness.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta - The pasta shells with ridges that Gigi Hadid used in her recipe work great to hold the rich and creamy vodka sauce. But this spicy pasta alla vodka recipe is also commonly made with penne pasta and is often called "penne alla vodka". Just about any pasta works well with this delicious vodka sauce.
- Cheese - I highly recommend shredding your own Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-clumping agents and can result in grainy sauce.
- Shallot - The shallot in this recipe can be substituted with white, yellow, or red onion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water for the sauce after cooking the pasta, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Then add the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, again stirring frequently, until the tomato paste is slightly darkened.
- If you are using vodka, stir it in with the cooked tomato paste and cook for another minute. Be sure to add it to a small bowl or cup, and then pour it into the pan, and do not pour it directly from the bottle in case it ignites!
- Add the cream, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and cook for another minute or two, stirring frequently, until the sauce is combined and smooth.
- Next add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and the butter and stir into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick add a little more of the pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the pasta, parmesan cheese, and chopped basil, and stir until the pasta is well coated. Serve in bowls and garnish with additional basil and cheese if desired.
What to Serve with Pasta alla Vodka
This vodka pasta is a tasty meal all on its own, but for a heartier meal, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp to the pasta.
For side dishes, you can never go wrong with a side salad and some crusty garlic bread! For salads, I like to serve it with a salad that is slightly sweet to help balance the heat of the spicy vodka sauce. A couple of great options are:
- Chick-fil-a Kale Salad (Copycat Recipe)
- Fall Apple Walnut Salad with Cider Vinaigrette
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad
Recipe Tips and FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat stir in a splash of cream to help loosen up the sauce and cook until warmed through.
Yes! This dish is often made with penne pasta, but any small to medium-shaped pasta or noodle pasta will work.
I do not recommend using milk in place of cream in this recipe. The combination of starchy pasta water, heavy cream, and butter produces a rich and luxurious sauce that is silky smooth.
Low fat milk contains much more water and will not produce the same consistency. Half and Half will work as an alternative if you must substitute.
More of my Favorite Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Baked Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta (Under 30 Minute Meal!)
- Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp
- Lasagna with Homemade Noodles
📖 Recipe
Spicy Pasta alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta shells
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons vodka
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded, plus more for garnish
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Cook your pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water for the sauce after cooking the pasta, then drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the diced shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Then add the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, again stirring frequently, until the tomato paste is slightly darkened.
- If using vodka, stir it in with the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Be sure to add it to a small bowl or cup, and then pour it into the pan, and do not pour it directly from the bottle in case it ignites!
- Add the cream, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper and cook for another minute or two, stirring frequently, until the sauce is combined and smooth.
- Next, add ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and the butter and stir into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick add a little more of the pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the pasta, parmesan cheese, and chopped basil, and stir until the pasta is well coated. Serve in bowls and garnish with additional basil and cheese if desired.
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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