Spicy Vodka Pasta
This spicy vodka pasta will be your favorite easy weeknight dinner. Creamy, spicy, and delicious, it comes together so quick and packs HUGE flavor with few ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 lb your favorite pasta
- reserved pasta water very important
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot minced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 6oz can tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp find ground red pepper
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- goat cheese optional
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil, and cook your pasta to package directions. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. I like to try to get a whole cup, just in case. Always better to have more than you need.
- In the meantime, in a sauce pot over medium heat, add 1Tbsp of butter, shallot and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until garlic is fragrant and shallot starts to become translucent, 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and stir well, let cook for 2 - 3 minutes to toast the tomato paste.
- Add vodka and red pepper, and stir to combine. Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add cream, stir to combine and let cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add reserved pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until sauce has loosened. I used 1/2 of a cup in total, but if you like your pasta sauce a little thinner, continue to add pasta water to your preference. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add cooked pasta, and remaining Tbsp of butter, mix thoroughly to coat the pasta in the sauce and melt the butter. Top with goat cheese and enjoy!!