This Vodka Sauce is the ultimate creamy and bright sauce for pasta lovers. With a combination of tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, vodka, and heavy cream, it’s a rich yet light sauce that’s quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes. Whether served with your favorite pasta or added to a dish with chicken, it’s sure to impress your guests or become a weeknight staple.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 8 ounces radiatore, penne, rotini, or rigatoni pasta

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)

• 2 medium shallots (diced)

• ¼ cup tomato paste

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)

• ¼ cup vodka

• 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

• ¼ cup basil leaves (chiffonade)

Directions

1. Cook the Pasta:
   In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

2. Prepare the Sauce:
   Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and shallots, cooking and stirring until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Add Vodka:
   Carefully stir in the vodka, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes.

4. Simmer the Sauce:
   Stir in crushed tomatoes and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 7-10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Finish the Sauce:
   Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

6. Serve:
   Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrients

(Note: Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on ingredient choices)

• Calories: 380 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 44g

• Protein: 10g

• Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

• Cholesterol: 40mg

• Sodium: 850mg

• Potassium: 420mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 8g

• Vitamin A: 650 IU

• Vitamin C: 5mg

• Calcium: 140mg

• Iron: 3mg

Why Vodka Sauce Works So Well with Pasta

Vodka Sauce pairs perfectly with hearty pasta shapes, as the creamy, rich sauce clings to the nooks and crannies of the pasta, providing each bite with a full burst of flavor. The slight heat from crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, while the vodka enhances the overall depth of the sauce, making it more complex than a standard tomato cream sauce. The addition of shallots and garlic gives the sauce aromatic depth, ensuring that every component of the dish is harmoniously balanced.

For this dish, pasta shapes like penne, rotini, radiatore, or rigatoni work wonderfully, as their ridges and curves catch the sauce, allowing for an even distribution of the creamy mixture. The richness of the sauce works beautifully with the bite of the pasta, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.

How to Make Vodka Sauce

Making Vodka Sauce is surprisingly easy and quick. The first step is to cook the pasta. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil and cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is al dente, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. The pasta water will be used later to adjust the sauce’s consistency and help it cling to the pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. Start by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and diced shallots, sautéing them until tender and fragrant. Shallots provide a subtle sweetness, while garlic adds a savory depth to the sauce.

Next, stir in the tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for a minute until fragrant. The tomato paste intensifies the flavor of the tomatoes, while the red pepper flakes provide a touch of heat. Once the base is ready, carefully pour in the vodka and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the vodka cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate and the flavors to meld together.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and sugar, then bring the mixture to a boil. Once the sauce is bubbling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 7-10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to concentrate. Season with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the sauce is perfectly balanced.

Finally, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, creating a smooth and velvety sauce. The cream adds a rich texture, while the Parmesan contributes a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the sauce.

Finishing the Dish

Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency. The pasta water helps to thicken the sauce and create a smooth, cohesive dish.

Once the pasta is well coated in the sauce, serve immediately, garnishing with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. The basil adds a fresh, herbal note that brightens the richness of the sauce, while the extra Parmesan enhances the cheesy, savory flavor.

Nutritional Benefits of Vodka Sauce

While Vodka Sauce is indulgent and rich, it also provides some essential nutrients. Each serving of the sauce contains 10 grams of protein, thanks to the Parmesan cheese and the pasta, which helps support muscle repair and growth. The sauce also provides 4 grams of fiber per serving, which aids in digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer.

The 20 grams of fat in each serving include 10 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the butter and heavy cream. While this is relatively high, the dish remains balanced when served in moderate portions. Additionally, the sauce contains 850 milligrams of sodium, so it’s important to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe based on your dietary preferences.

The dish is a good source of vitamins, with 650 IU of vitamin A from the tomatoes and 5 milligrams of vitamin C from the fresh basil and tomatoes. Vitamin A supports eye health, while vitamin C boosts the immune system. The Parmesan cheese also contributes calcium (140 milligrams), which is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth.

Serving Suggestions for Vodka Sauce

Vodka Sauce is delicious on its own, but it can be paired with a variety of side dishes to create a well-rounded meal. Here are a few ideas:

• With a Side Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can help balance the richness of the sauce. Consider arugula, spinach, or mixed greens for a refreshing contrast.

• With Garlic Bread: Serve the pasta with crispy garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce. The crunchiness of the bread pairs perfectly with the creamy, savory sauce.

• With Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or broccoli can complement the pasta, providing a light and healthy contrast to the richness of the vodka sauce.

• As a Main Dish: This dish can easily stand on its own, but for a more substantial meal, serve it with grilled chicken, shrimp, or even Italian sausage.

Conclusion

Vodka Sauce is a rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce that transforms simple pasta into an indulgent meal. With its combination of tomatoes, vodka, garlic, shallots, and cream, this sauce is perfect for those who enjoy comforting, bold flavors. It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or a dish to serve at a gathering.

Whether you’re enjoying it with pasta, chicken, or vegetables, Vodka Sauce is a versatile, crowd-pleasing choice that will elevate any dish. With its deliciously smooth texture, savory flavors, and the right amount of brightness from the basil, this sauce is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.