Description
Indulgent vodka pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with rich, silky sauce that elevates simple ingredients. Creamy tomato essence and delicate herbs create a luxurious dining experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Carefully set aside some starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, gently softening diced onions until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce minced garlic and fiery red pepper flakes, allowing aromatics to bloom for approximately 60 seconds.
- Deglaze the pan with vodka, letting the liquid simmer and reduce, concentrating its robust flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, seasoning generously with salt and cracked black pepper. Allow sauce to gently bubble and meld for 10 minutes.
- Lower heat and incorporate rich heavy cream and creamy butter, stirring until the sauce transforms into a luxurious, silky consistency.
- Fold cooked pasta into the velvety sauce, gradually adding reserved pasta water to achieve a perfectly glossy texture.
- Finish by generously sprinkling grated Parmesan cheese, creating a final layer of decadent flavor.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with freshly torn basil leaves and additional Parmesan for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Customize pasta thickness by choosing various shapes like rigatoni, penne, or fettuccine for different textures and sauce-holding capabilities.
- Substitute vodka with white wine or chicken broth for alcohol-free version, maintaining similar depth of flavor and reducing overall richness.
- Control spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes, allowing flexibility for heat-sensitive palates or adding extra kick for spice lovers.
- Enhance protein content by incorporating grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy pancetta for a more substantial meal that transforms the dish from side to main course.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg