Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon March 27, 2015 (updated Feb 6, 2019) 13 comments »

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Pasta with Vodka Sauce is a recipe that can be made in no time for a delicious meal any night of the week.

Pasta and me, we go way back. It’s like we’re best friends or something. Pasta has always beenone of those quick and inexpensive meals that I could whip up in no time after a long day at work (all in moderation, of course). As a young twenty-something, I quickly learned how to create basic yet classic sauces to toss with pasta for easy weeknight meals. Once the basics were down it was easy to switch things up exploring different combinations of herbs, spices and oils. Icontinue to regularly make our favorites, chicken or shrimp with pasta, sometimes with a Creamy Pesto sauce or a basic garlic and olive oil with fresh basil. It makes me drool just thinking about it.

This recipe for Pasta with Vodka Sauce is one of those classics that every pasta lover should know how to whip up. It’s as easy as can be and so aromatic and flavorful for such basic ingredients. This dish can be made from start to finish in less than 30 minutes, so it’s the perfect meal to add to your regular weeknight rotation.

A few Pasta with Vodka Sauce recipe notes:

  • This pasta dish is certainly satisfying on it’s own but if a heartier version is desired, toss in cooked shrimp or chicken.
  • The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of crushed red chile flakes. It is a bit spicy, so if that is a concern I’d recommend cutting the amount in half and add more to desired taste.
  • Penne pasta is a classic pasta to serve with the vodka sauce, but use whatever pasta you’d like. I personally enjoy it with wide ribbon-like noodle pasta, like pappardelle or tagliatelle.
  • The classic vodka sauce recipe calls for parmesan cheese, but if you just so happen to have gruyere on hand, give it a try. Oh my word.

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Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe

Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe (6)

Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

A classic recipe for pasta with vodka sauce made with garlic, crushed tomatoes and parmesan.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes*
  • 8 cloves garlic, grated
  • 32 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated parmesan, plus more for garnish (or gruyere)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • garnish: fresh chopped parsley, grated parmesan

Instructions

  1. Begin cooking pasta to al dente stage according to package instructions.
  2. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chile flakes and grated garlic, cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes and vodka, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Stir in cream, parmesan cheese, plus 1/4 cup of pasta water until smooth. If needed, add more pasta water a little at a time until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Drain pasta, add to pan with sauce and toss until coated.
  6. Serve with fresh parsley and grated parmesan.

Notes

*The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of crushed red chile flakes. It is a bit spicy, so if that is a concern I’d recommend cutting the amount in half and add more to desired taste.

Recipe slightly adapted from Saveur.

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Main Dishes

originally published on March 27, 2015 (last updated Feb 6, 2019)

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13 comments on “Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe”

  1. zouhair najjarReply

    thank you for the recipe,,,,,,,We do not drink alcohol drinks how we can have the recipe without vodka

    • Lucy

      Absolutely. I have made vodka sauce both ways and my family cannot tell the difference. Enjoy..

    • Jennifer

      I literally laughed out loud at that comment😂

    • Hem

      The alcohol will evaporate or just leave out of the dish. It really contributes no flavor of it self. Supposedly it reacts with the tomato to release some umami flavors or something.

    • Hem

      Racist much? MAGA… Not !

    • David Jones

      Hem go away the camel joke was hysterical, go plat in the desert.

  2. allie@ThroughHerLookingGlassReply

    I’ve had vodka sauce before, never made it myself though. This recipe looks great! (Gruyere sounds lovely.)

  3. Lisa B.Reply

    I keep a small jar of vodka with 1 tablespoon of chili flakes marinating in my pantry. Any time I need it, the flavored vodka is there. So much easier, and you can taste it in advance. If it is too strong, just top off the jar with more vodka. (I guarantee it is not ever too weak.) It makes preparing vodka sauce so easy and more flavorful.

    • Amy Johnson

      Oh, Lisa! That is a fabulous tip. Thank you for sharing it. 🙂

  4. AngieReply

    Hi! I’m hoping to try this next week but there’s just the two of us here. Have you frozen this with any success? Obviously I could also scale down the recipe but figured it can’t hurt to ask. 🙂

  5. JeannineReply

    This is the first dish my son made. Late teens and he cracked himself up everytime he said “Mom, I need some vodka.”

    • Amy Johnson

      That’s hilarious!

Leave a comment »

Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What pasta goes with vodka sauce? ›

Penne. By and far, the most popular noodle to pair with vodka sauce is penne pasta. Vodka sauce has the perfect ability to cling to penne noodles, making it that each bite is packed with delicious Italian flavors.

What makes vodka sauce better? ›

In a vodka sauce, the vodka helps maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the creaminess to meld with the tomato base. And sure, you could use wine to the same effect, but in a sauce as rich as vodka sauce, it's better to use a small amount of alcohol that will impart as little of its own flavor as possible.

Does vodka sauce make you drunk? ›

To answer your question, no, you can't get drunk off vodka sauce. The sauce will have a small hint of the vodka's minimal flavor and some of its aroma. This is because most of the spirit will evaporate when allowed to cook.

When to put vodka in vodka sauce? ›

In a medium pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until just shy of al dente, about 3 minutes less than the package directs. About 1 minute before you transfer pasta to sauce, add vodka to tomato sauce and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

What do Italians eat vodka sauce with? ›

Vodka Sauce is great with Penne Ziti, but you can create a much more elaborate pasta creation with hot or sweet Italian sausage, classic meatballs or mini meatballs or chicken. The dish of pasta and sauce can be complemented with a leafy green salad, roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, garlic bread and more.

What flavor does vodka add to pasta? ›

Vodka does alter the flavor of the sauce in a pleasing way. It adds a touch of heat and a bit of a sharp bite that help balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes and the cream.

What is the best vodka for cooking? ›

The best vodka for cooking is the most neutral one you can find. This means that it doesn't change or ruin the flavors of the food. Here are some of the best vodkas for cooking: Tito's Handmade Vodka: Tito's Handmade Vodka is known for its smooth and clean taste.

How to make vodka taste better? ›

What To Mix With Vodka
  1. Soda Water.
  2. Cranberry Juice.
  3. Tonic Water.
  4. Orange Juice.
  5. Half & Half Spindrift.
  6. Ginger Beer.
  7. Grapefruit Juice and a Splash of Soda.
  8. Lime Juice and Simple Syrup.
Jan 14, 2022

Can kids have vodka pasta? ›

We reached out to a few experts to find out if we'd be better off fixing a simple tomato sauce on the side for the kids, or if vodka sauce is OK for the littles when consumed in moderation. The general consensus was that a vodka pasta sauce should be safe for children, if cooked thoroughly.

Can an alcoholic eat pasta with vodka sauce? ›

Be aware that alcohol doesn't burn off during cooking, this is a common mistake. Even the smallest amounts of food with alcohol can adversely affect someone who is recovering from alcoholism, even if it's consumed accidentally.

Is vodka sauce bad for you? ›

Is vodka sauce healthy? Even though the classic vodka sauce is made with a lot of fat, it is still fairly healthy. It's loaded with tomatoes, shallots, and ham, which adds vitamins, servings of vegetables, and protein. Since the alcohol cooks out, that is not a factor in the nutrition.

What pairs well with vodka sauce? ›

The best side dishes to serve with penne alla vodka are crispy green beans, caprese salad, stuffed mushrooms, chicken nuggets, ratatouille, kale chips, brussels sprouts with bacon, crispy garlic bread, Italian antipasto salad, grilled chicken, roasted asparagus, shrimp scampi, and Italian stuffed peppers.

What makes vodka sauce good? ›

During the cooking process, the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind a hint of tanginess that enhances the brightness of the tomatoes and peppers. It's also balanced with pungent garlic and onion that's slowly simmered with Italian herbs until smooth.

How much sauce per pound of pasta? ›

Go easy on the sauce.

Italian dishes do not swim in sauce. An average ratio of tomato sauce to pasta is 1 1/2 cups of sauce to 1 pound of pasta. For oil-based sauces, use 1 cup per 1 pound of pasta.

Is vodka sauce marinara and alfredo? ›

Vodka sauce is a mouth-watering tomato-based sauce that features the use of heavy cream, living somewhere between an Alfredo sauce and tomato-based sauce. Vodka sauce recipes will vary, but the most common ingredients include tomatoes, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a splash of vodka.

Is vodka sauce spaghetti good? ›

There really is nothing better than the rich creaminess of vodka sauce over pasta. It's a crowd pleaser and total comfort food!

Is Gigi Hadid pasta vodka sauce? ›

Gigi Hadid Spicy “Vodka” Pasta

It's a spicy vodka sauce but without the vodka. It's super creamy, indulgent, and the best pasta dish to make for any occasion. It always impresses yet it's so easy to make.

Is vodka pasta traditional? ›

Vodka sauce also referred to as penne alla vodka, is a long-standing tradition in Italian culture. A sauce that began as a quick and affordable way to impress women has become a staple in Italian cuisine. The sauce is creamy, delicious, and unanimously loved by everyone who tastes it.

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