The Best Homemade Vodka Sauce recipe

This Pasta with Vodka Sauce recipe is the perfect dinner to throw together with minimal effort, while still being really delicious! It takes less than 30 minutes to whip up with just a handful of basic ingredients!

What is pasta with vodka sauce?

Pasta with vodka sauce is a simple Italian-American dish that consists of cooked pasta tossed together with a creamy tomato based sauce, also infused with a splash of vodka added to it.

Why add vodka to vodka sauce?

People often wonder if the addition of vodka is necessary to add to vodka sauce, since only a small amount is used, and the answer is yes! Although only a small amount is added overall the vodka balances the tomatoes and cream out in the sauce. It creates a subtle peppery heat and herbaceous brightness to the sauce. Also, it wouldn’t really be considered vodka sauce without it!

What kind of pasta should you use?

You can really use any type of pasta you want for this dish with great results. I like using a shaped pasta for this dish, specifically rotini, because I like how the small spirals pick up the sauce so well. If shaped pastas aren’t your favorite, I highly recommend fusilli col buco which is a great long strand pasta that also picks up the sauce really well!

How to make pasta with vodka sauce?

1. First cook pasta in a large pot of well salted water to al dente doneness.
2. Drain pasta, reserving some of the pasta water (for the sauce).
3. Place a skillet over medium heat and sauté shallots and garlic in some oil.
4. Add tomato paste and stir together.
5. Deglaze pan with vodka and stir together for a few minutes.
6. Stir in reserved pasta water and simmer sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Stir in cream and simmer for a few minutes.
8. Stir in grated Parmesan and butter until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
9. Add cooked pasta and toss together until well coated.
10. Top with more Parmesan and serve!

Variations

1. Spinach or kale can be added for a healthy dose of leafy greens.
2. Shredded or chopped chicken can be added for some protein
3. Garbanzo or white beans can also be added for a vegetarian friendly protein
4. Herbs such as torn basil, minced thyme or thinly sliced chives can be stirred into the sauce for even more added flavor.
5. Crushed red pepper flakes can be added to the dish to add some heat.

I can’t stress enough how much I love quick and easy dishes, and this pasta with vodka sauce recipe is such a great one! They’re really the best kinds of recipes, especially when you want to throw a great meal together in a short amount of time, with a handful of ingredients! We have so many other delicious recipes that are quick and easy and some of my absolute favorite are: Garlic Noodles, Romesco Sauce Rigatoni, Mongolian Beef, Cheesy Sweet Potato Fritters, and our Everything Bagel Seasoning Wedge Salad! Enjoy! xx, Jenny

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The Best Homemade Vodka Sauce recipe

The Best Homemade Vodka sauce recipe to make, and make again. Creamy and smooth, and really easy to throw together. This is a quick and easy meal. Make it with whatever pasta you have on hand, freeze the leftover sauce for later!

RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny

PIN RECIPE PRINT RECIPE

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 22 mins

Total Time: 27 mins

Servings: 3

  Ingredients  

• 8 oz dry rotini (or pasta shape of choice)

vodka sauce

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large shallot minced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ⅔ cup tomato paste
• 3 tbsp vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• salt and pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

  Instructions  

• Fill a large pot with water, place over high heat and bring to a boil.
• Add a small handful salt to water and add pasta.
• Cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, and set both aside.
• Place a large skillet over medium heat.
• Once skillet is hot add oil and sauté shallots and garlic for 3 to 4 minutes, or until aromatics begin to slightly caramelize.
• Add tomato paste and stir together. Continue to stir until paste turns bright red,2 to 3 minutes.
• Deglaze skillet with vodka and stir together until vodka evaporates. Add reserved pasta water to skillet and stir together until smooth, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir cream into sauce until mixture is smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer together, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in butter and Parmesan and continue to simmer until sauce is smooth, glossy and has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
• Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss together until fully coated. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve with more grated Parmesan and black pepper.

Serving: 1g Calories: 861kcal Carbohydrates: 72g Protein: 20g Fat: 52g Saturated Fat: 27g Cholesterol: 140mg Sodium: 764mg Potassium: 862mg Fiber: 5g Sugar: 10g Vitamin A: 2421IU Vitamin C: 15mg Calcium: 289mg Iron: 3mg