Spicy Vodka Sauce Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your favorite)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, for garnish
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1.

   Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. 2.

   While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.

3. 3.

   Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it deepens in color.

4. 4.

   Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

5. 5.

   Add the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. 6.

   Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. 7.

   Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add a little pasta water if needed to adjust the consistency.

8. 8.

   Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Colander

Tips

• For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce before adding the cream.
• Add cooked Italian sausage or chicken for a heartier meal.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your desired level of spice.
• If you don't have vodka, you can substitute with white wine or chicken broth.