This is my favorite Alla Vodka recipe anywhere. The secret: tomato paste and pasta water. Tomato paste has a more concentrated flavor, and when mixed with some pasta water gives the sauce a smoother, velvety texture.
I like rigatoni tubes because they catch more sauce. Drizzle with some olive oil and cheese at the end and you have a restaurant quality meal in 30 minutes. Make it vegetarian without the Italian sausage or add another favorite protein instead.
This beautiful creamy, glossy dish is calling your name.
Rigatoni Alla Vodka
Ingredients
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt and ground pepper
8 oz. Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 oz. vodka
1 cup pasta water
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. rigatoni
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
Cook Rigatoni according to package instructions but removing 1-2 minutes early. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water for sauce later.
In a dutch oven or large skillet, cook Italian sausage 8-10 minutes until completely browned. Remove to plate and set aside.
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Next, add tomato paste and red pepper flakes and stir until paste evenly coats onion. Continue to cook, stirring often, until paste is deep red and starting to brown on bottom of pot, 5–7 minutes.
Add vodka to deglaze pan and stir to incorporate.
Reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 cup of pasta water and cream to the skillet, stirring constantly, until a smooth sauce forms. Season again with salt and pepper.
Add rigatoni, peas, and cooked sausage to skillet and stir thoroughly.
Add additional ½ cup pasta cooking liquid and stir to incorporate, then add half of Parmesan, stirring constantly to melt cheese. Stir in basil and top with remaining cheese.
Serve immediately.
Italian sausage, parmesan cheese, and tomato paste make a deadly and mouth-watering combination. The ingredients used in this recipe are really tasty and amazing. This recipe will help us to make this recipe for us. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I’m so glad you enjoyed!