Vodka Pasta!

Recipe ⬇️ or print: https://www.recipetineats.com/vodka-p...

I feel like this was THE viral pasta about 5 years ago. Naturally, I missed the trend because I’m just not cool enough to keep up! 😅

Not a usual step, but I find cooking off the tomato paste really makes a difference here - improves flavour and takes off sour edge, levels the playing field between regular and pricier double concentrate. Becoming a fairly standard step these days. Enjoy! - N x ❤️

PS I add the vodka while simmering so you get more of the complexity in the sauce (though you won't get any boozy notes), but if you're making this for kids I'd recommend deglazing the pan to cook out the alcohol, see notes.

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Vodka Pasta (penne alla vodka)

500g / 1 lb penne or ziti (rigatoni is also a fave, else any other pasta)
2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt, for pasta cooking water
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely diced (smaller dice than usual best)
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 1/4 cups heavy / thickened cream (UK, use whipping cream)
1/3 cup vodka** (sub gin or white wine), or chicken stock/broth for alcohol free
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (chilli flakes), 100% optional
3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (halve for table salt)
Pinch black pepper
50g / 1 loosely packed cup finely grated parmesan (shred yourself)*, plus more for serving
1/2 cup+ pasta cooking water
2 tsp parsley, finely chopped, for serving (optional)

1. Cook pasta in salted water per packet directions. Just before draining, give the water a big stir to agitate starch, scoop out 1 cup of the cooking water and put aside. Drain pasta.
2. Heat oil on medium high, sauté garlic and onion 2 min until translucent. Cook off tomato paste 2 min (reduce heat if catching). Add cream, mix to dissolve tomato paste, then vodka, chilli flakes, S&P. Simmer gently for 3 min, stirring regularly, stir in parmesan at end until melted though. Toss with pasta and 1/2 cup pasta water over medium heat until the sauce coats the pasta.
3. Serve garnished with parmesan and a pinch of parsley if desired!


Freshly grated best to ensure it melts smoothly, 1 cup loosely packed = 1/2 cup tightly packed = modest 4cm cube piece. Fluffs up massively when shredded!
** I drink Grey Goose so that’s what I use. Cooking for kids? Add booze before tomato paste and reduce it down by 75% to cook out the alcohol.