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!
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
- 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!
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.
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
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
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.
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