Recipe for Pasta alla Vodka
Bring the flavors of Italy to your dinner table tonight with this classic recipe for pasta alla vodka! Whip up a flavorful homemade sauce, toss in some al dente pasta, and you have a delicious dinner everyone in the family can enjoy. This popular dish is perfect for a meat-free weeknight meal, featuring a creamy tomato sauce with a dash of vodka.
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What Do I Need to Make This Recipe for Pasta alla Vodka?
Making your own homemade pasta dinner is probably easier than you think. With this simple sauce recipe, you can prepare a from-scratch meal in the kitchen with just a few minutes of prep work. To start making your own Italian dinner, grab these ingredients:
- Orecchiette pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Red onion
- Tomato puree
- Diced tomato
- Basil leaves
- Vodka
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Heavy cream
How Do I Make This Recipe for Pasta alla Vodka?
You'll feel like an Italian chef when you taste this delicious pasta dinner! With all the flavors of a restaurant-quality meal, you're sure to impress your family with this easy pasta dinner. Just follow these easy instructions to be the star of dinner time tonight.
Step One: Prep the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta. Follow the instructions on the pasta package to boil your noodles until they're just shy of al dente-around 2 minutes less than the package says. Then, drain the pasta from the water, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later.
Step Two: Make the Sauce
Add the butter and olive oil to a large saucepan and cook until the butter is melted. Once the pan is hot, add the onions and garlic and cook until fragrant and the onions are soft but not browned. Then, add the tomatoes and continue cooking until the tomatoes are softened, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the tomato puree and heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few more minutes until it's thickened, then stir in the vodka, pepper flakes, basil, and half of the pasta water. Continue simmering the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes over low heat, then, remove the basil, transfer the sauce to a blender, and blend until smooth.
Step Three: Combine the Pasta and Sauce
After blending the sauce, clean the saucepan and pour in the finished sauce and cooked pasta. Cook over medium low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, gently stirring the pasta into the sauce as you cook. After that, remove the pan from heat and stir in the cheese until it's completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.
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What Does Pasta alla Vodka Mean?
This classic dish is just as it sounds-pasta with vodka! It typically features a creamy tomato sauce with an added punch of vodka. The vodka helps keep the sauce nice and creamy, preventing the tomatoes from separating from the heavy cream. Since most of the alcohol cooks off as the sauce simmers, you can't even taste the vodka in the sauce. That means it's safe to serve to your family-even your kids!
How Do You Store Pasta alla Vodka?
Everyone at the dinner table is sure to gobble up this meat-free pasta! But if you have some leftovers after dinner, just transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They'll stay good for up to four days.
To reheat the leftovers, either microwave them or heat them in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
Can I Freeze Pasta alla Vodka?
In addition to enjoying your pasta dinner right now, you can freeze this recipe later. Allow the pasta to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Store the pasta frozen for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to reheat the pasta, place it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Then, pour the contents of the container into a large saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until warmed through.
Pasta alla Vodka Recipe Ideas
One big reason this recipe is so popular is that it's easy to customize! Once you have the basic recipe down, you can try these additions and substitutions to create a unique Italian dinner every time you cook it.
- Add meat. Add some protein to your dinner with the addition of some meat! To add to your sauce, you can cook chicken, ground beef, Italian sausage, shrimp, bacon, pancetta, or ground turkey. Simply saute the meat of choice, prepare the sauce according to the recipe instructions, then stir in the pasta and cooked protein.
- Mix in some veggies. Add veggies to help keep your pasta vegetarian while adding flavor and texture to the dish. Stir in some cooked broccoli, mushrooms, or spinach before serving!
- Use different pasta. Since the sauce is the star of this pasta recipe, you could use various noodles! In addition to orecchiette, you could also serve your vodka sauce with penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
What to Serve with Pasta Alla Vodka
Here are some delicious options to complement pasta alla vodka and make your meal even more satisfying:
Starters
- Caprese Salad - Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Garlic Bread - Crisp yet soft bread infused with garlic butter.
- Bruschetta - Toasted baguette topped with fresh tomato, basil, and olive oil.
- Stuffed Mushrooms - Filled with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs for a savory start.
Side Dishes
- Caesar Salad - Crisp romaine, creamy dressing, croutons, and Parmesan.
- Roasted Vegetables - A mix of zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus caramelized in the oven.
- Sautéed Spinach - Lightly cooked spinach with garlic and olive oil.
- Arugula Salad - Peppery greens with lemon dressing and shaved Parmesan.
Proteins
- Grilled Chicken - Lightly seasoned or marinated for an extra touch of flavor.
- Shrimp Scampi - A garlicky, buttery option that complements creamy pasta.
- Meatballs - Italian-style meatballs pair wonderfully alongside the pasta.
- Prosciutto-Wrapped Melon - Sweet and salty bites for a refreshing touch.
Drinks
- White Wine - A crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc balances the rich sauce.
- Sparkling Water - With a twist of lemon to cleanse your palate.
- Basil Lemonade - A refreshing non-alcoholic option for added zest.
Desserts
- Tiramisu - Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.
- Panna Cotta - Silky smooth and flavored with vanilla or berries.
- Cannoli - Crispy shells filled with sweet ricotta cream.
- Affogato - Vanilla gelato doused in a shot of hot espresso.
Your pasta alla vodka deserves a supporting cast of dishes that make every bite (and sip) memorable!
Recipe for Pasta alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta shells or pasta of your choice
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 5 Tablespoons red onion minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup tomato puree
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons vodka
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- ½ to 1 cup water reserved from cooking pasta
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta. Follow the instructions on the pasta package to boil your noodles until they’re just shy of al dente – around 2 minutes less than what the package says. Then, drain the pasta from the water, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water for later (which will be used for the sauce).
- Add the butter and olive oil to a large saucepan and cook until the butter is melted.
- Once the pan is hot, add the onions and garlic and cook until fragrant and the onions are soft but not browned.
- Then, add the tomatoes and continue cooking until the tomatoes are softened, stirring frequently.
- Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the tomato puree and heavy cream.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for a few more minutes until it’s thickened, then stir in the vodka, pepper flakes, basil, and half of the pasta water (more if you prefer sauce thinner).
- Continue simmering the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes over low heat, and transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
- After blending the sauce, clean the saucepan and pour in the finished sauce and cooked pasta. Cook over medium low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, gently stirring the pasta into the sauce as you cook.
- Serve warm with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
