• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Everyday Shortcuts
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects
  • Travel
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • DIY Projects
    • Travel
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes

    Pasta alla Vodka

    Published: Feb 8, 2023 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Alison · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe

    Pasta alla vodka is a mouth-watering dish that blends the smooth taste of vodka with a creamy tomato-based sauce, elevating pasta to a whole new level. Serve it with some crusty bread and enjoy!

    Pasta alla Vodka

    When you’re craving your favorite Italian dish, skip the restaurant and make pasta alla vodka at home. This dish is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

    The key to making this dish extra creamy is to use heavy cream in the sauce. To make sure your sauce doesn’t curdle, be sure to cook the pasta in the sauce over low heat.

    And finally, don’t forget the Parmesan cheese! This will add some extra depth of flavor to the dish. Let’s make some pasta!

    If you like this pasta dish, try my Cast Iron Cajun Seafood Pasta or Cajun Pasta with Sausage. Both are delicious and the perfect weeknight meal!

    What is alla vodka pasta?

    Alla vodka pasta is a creamy, tomato-based pasta dish that is typically made with penne pasta. It gets its name from the addition of vodka to the sauce, which adds a depth of flavor to the dish.

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • The sauce is to die for. It’s rich and creamy, and the vodka adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
    • It’s a one-pot meal, so cleanup is a breeze.
    • You can customize it to your liking. Add in some vegetables or swap out the pasta for a different type of noodle.

    What You Need

    • Rigatoni Noodles – I used half of a box of these noodles because they were so big. If you use a smaller size noodle you could use the full 16oz. box.
    • Minced Garlic
    • Olive Oil
    • Vodka
    • Tomato Paste
    • Heavy Whipping Cream – this is what makes the sauce creamy.
    • Salt & Pepper – season to taste.
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese – for garnish.

    Recipe Variations

    • Add some protein such as chicken or shrimp.
    • Add veggies to the pasta such as broccoli or mushrooms.
    • If you want a bit of a kick add some red pepper flakes.
    • Add bacon for more flavor.
    • Try a different kind of pasta such as penne, spaghetti, etc.

    How to Make Vodka Pasta

    1. Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce. Drain and set aside.
    2. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds.
    3. Pour in the heavy cream, tomato paste, and vodka. Stir to combine.
      Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    4. Bring the sauce to a boil, then simmer and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
    5. Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat. If sauce is too thick add a little bit of the reserved pasta water and stir.
    6. Garnish with parmesan cheese, serve and enjoy!
    vodka pasta

    Recipe Tips

    • Use good quality ingredients – this will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish!
    • Be sure to season your sauce with salt and pepper.
    • Don’t overcook the pasta – al dente is best!
    • For a creamier sauce, add more heavy cream.
    • Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
    • Need to serve more? Double the recipe.

    Storing & Reheating

    • To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • To Freeze: Place in sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • To Reheat: Reheat in microwave to desired temperature. If frozen allow to thaw out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
    how to make pasta alla vodka

    FAQs

    Is there vodka in the sauce?

    Yes, there is vodka in the sauce but you are not going to get tipsy from it as it tends to evaporate as you cook it.

    Can I make this dish ahead of time?

    Yes, you can make pasta alla vodka ahead of time. Cook the pasta and sauce and store them separately, then combine them when you’re ready to serve.

    What kind of pasta should I use for alla vodka pasta?

    Any type of short, sturdy pasta will work well in this dish. Penne, rigatoni, and fusilli are all good choices.

    What do you serve with pasta alla vodka?

    Crusty bread goes good with this dish but you could also serve a side of green salad.

    Recipe

    Pasta alla Vodka

    EverydayShortcuts.com
    Pasta alla vodka is a mouth-watering dish that blends the smooth taste of vodka with a creamy tomato-based sauce, elevating pasta to a whole new level. Serve it with some crusty bread and enjoy!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine Italian
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz Rigatoni Noodles cooked al dente
    • 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
    • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1/4 Cup Vodka
    • 1/4 Cup Tomato Paste
    • 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
    • Salt & Pepper to taste
    • Grated Parmesan Cheese for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water in case you need to thin out the sauce. Drain and set aside.
    • In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds.
    • Pour in the heavy cream, tomato paste, and vodka. Stir to combine.Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Bring the sauce to a boil, then simmer and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
    • Add in the cooked pasta and stir to coat. If sauce is too thick add a little bit of the reserved pasta water and stir.
    • Garnish with parmesan cheese, serve and enjoy!

    Notes

  • To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To Freeze: Place in sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: Reheat in microwave to desired temperature. If frozen allow to thaw out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • I used half of a box of these noodles because they were so big. If you use a smaller size noodle you could use the full 16oz. box.
  • Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Recipes

    • Caramel Apple Cookies
    • Candy Corn Lush
    • Bourbon Apple Cider
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
    FacebookTweetPin

    Alison is a wife and mother of three who embraces the simple life, finding joy in easy recipes, DIY projects, life hacks, and her passion for travel. Learn more about me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Alison McFadden

    Welcome to Everyday Shortcuts, where I share delicious and simple recipes that anyone can cook, practical household tips and clever shortcuts to help simplify your everyday life. 

    More about me →

    Popular

    • 8 Easy Chicken Freezer Meals in One Hour
    • Crock Pot Coca-Cola Baby Back Ribs
    • My 3 Day Egg Fast Experience and Weight Loss
    • Copycat White Castle Sliders

    Holiday Recipes

    • Vampire Kiss Jello Shots
    • Easy Rice Krispie Treat Pumpkins
    • No Bake Halloween Lush Dessert
    • Spooky Halloween Party Punch

    FREE RECIPES WEEKLY!

    Footer

    Everyday shortcuts as seen on logos

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About Me

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Press & Media
    • PR Friendly

    Alison McFadden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2023 Everyday Shortcuts. All Rights Reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT