Spicy Garlicky Pasta alla Vodka

Vodka sauce is a pasta sauce that is rich and delicious with flavors of tomato, vodka and cream sauce.Vodka pasta is one of those simple recipes that has minimal ingredients but is just so delicious! I love making it garlicky and spicy for that added boost of flavor which just takes it to the next level. Even though vodka is used in the recipe, it cooks off so you will not get intoxicated from this. This recipe will easily give you a restaurant style dish super quick from the comfort of you own home.

You can make this pasta in one pot or make the sauce separately. I sometimes like to add some cheese on it and bake it for the extra cheesy goodness.

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 3-5 servings

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 30-40 mins

Total Time: 40-50 mins

Ingredients: 

• 10-12 oz pasta

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 3-4 tbsp chopped garlic

• 1/2 cup sliced onions

• 1/2 cup cream

• 1/3 cup vodka (vegetable stock can be used instead)

• 1/3 cup milk

• 4 tbsp tomato paste

• 1/3 cup grated parmesan

• 2-4 tsp chilli flakes as per taste

• 2-3 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 1 tbsp garlic powder

• 2 tsp chopped chives or parsley

• 3 cups of water (if you are making one pot pasta)

Directions: 

1. In a pan, add olive oil. Keep it on low-medium flame

2. Add the chopped garlic and cook it till on low flame till it starts browning. It can take about 8 mins.

3. Add the tiny sliced onions and cook till it starts getting translucent.

4. Add the tomato paste and cook it well. Keep stirring it and cook till the oil starts separating.

5. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder and chilli flakes.

6. Add the vodka and mix it in. This helps deglaze the pan as well. Cook it for 2-3 mins.

7. Add the cream and milk and mix it in.

8. The sauce is ready- now you can add boiled pasta or make it one pot.

   • If you boil the pasta- boil it separately as per the box instructions till its al dente. Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the seasoned pasta water and mix it together.

   • If you make it one pot- add the pasta to the sauce and mix it in. Add 3 cups of water and cook it till the pasta is cooked al dente. It takes about 7-8 mins. Keep it on medium flame and stir it frequently. You will probably need to add 1-2 tsp of more salt.

9. Mix in parmesan after adding the pasta.

10. Optional- You can even transfer it to a baking dish, top it with mozzarella and bake and serve. Bake at 350F till the cheese is bubbly.

11. Serve warm. Garnish with grated Parmesan and chilli flakes.

Tip/Notes:

• Make sure you let the sauce cook enough so that the alcohol will cook off. If you don’t cook the sauce for long enough, you may end up with a harsh aftertaste from the alcohol.

• This dish is great as is, but you can add in other ingredients to make it your own such as mushrooms, corn, zucchini or meat.

• While making the pasta ONE POT- make sure to add enough water and keep stirring it so that the pasta does not burn or stick.

• Penne is the most common kind of pasta used with this sauce but i love this sauce so much that i use it with all kinds of pasta even ravioli or tortellini.

• Use tomato paste and NOT canned tomato as it gives the rich velvety texture.