Vodka Sauce Pasta
If you’re looking for a rich, creamy, and delicious pasta dish, vodka sauce pasta is a must-try! This classic Italian-American recipe combines smooth tomato sauce, a splash of vodka, and heavy cream to create a velvety, flavorful dish that coats every bite of pasta perfectly.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Large Skillet or Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- Box Grater or Microplane
- Knife & cutting board
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional, for spice
- ½ cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta or your favorite pasta
- Water for boiling
- 1 tbsp salt for boiling water
For Garnishing (Optional):
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped
Instructions
Boil the Pasta (8-10 minutes):
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt (this helps season the pasta from the inside).
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (firm but cooked through).
- Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water—this helps adjust the sauce’s consistency later!
- Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics (3-4 minutes):
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pro Tip: Garlic burns quickly, so keep stirring and don’t let it sit too long!
Cook the Tomato Paste (2-3 minutes):
- Add 1 cup of tomato paste to the pan and stir well. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. This deepens the flavor and removes any raw taste.
- Pro Tip: Cooking the tomato paste until it darkens slightly enhances its natural sweetness!
Deglaze with Vodka (2 minutes):
- Pour in ½ cup of vodka and stir. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the alcohol smell fades.
- The vodka helps bring out the richness in the tomatoes and balances the acidity.
- Don’t worry—the alcohol cooks off, so you won’t taste any harshness!
Add the Cream & Simmer (3-5 minutes):
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, stirring constantly.
- Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Pro Tip: Keep stirring to prevent the cream from separating. A gentle simmer is key!
Mix in the Parmesan (1 minute):
- Stir in ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine the Pasta (2 minutes):
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until fully coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- This step is where everything comes together—make sure each piece of pasta is coated in that creamy goodness!
Garnish & Serve:
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley on top.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade vodka sauce pasta!
Notes
Estimated Nutritional Value (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~65g
- Protein: ~15g
- Fat: ~30g
- Saturated Fat: ~15g
- Cholesterol: ~60mg
- Sodium: ~500mg
- Fiber: ~4g
- Sugar: ~7g
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.