Pasta alla Vodka

A bowl of pasta topped with vodka pasta sauce and slivers of basil leaves.

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Linguini pasta tossed in a velvety vodka-tomato-cream sauce. Elegance and rustic comfort all in one dish, that's all ready to eat in under 30 minutes. Perfect weeknight dinner.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Pasta, Vegetarian entree

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: pasta alla vodka, spaghetti alla vodka

Servings:

Calories: 776.6kcal

Author: Susan Pridmore

Ingredients

1 pound linguini pasta or other favorite pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion finely diced (about 1 ½ cups)
4 cloves garlic minced
1 cup vodka
28 ounce can of San Marzano whole tomatoes or 2 (15-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes
1 cup half and half
1 teaspoon dried oregano or dry your own
1 ¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
handful of basil leaves slivered

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, until al dente.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the olive oil and butter together. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
While the onion sautés, chop the canned tomatoes. I like to chop them myself rather than purchasing diced or crushed tomatoes so I can add texture to the sauce.
You can also use 2 cans of diced tomatoes and their juices, as indicated in the ingredient list.
Pour in the vodka and stir in the tomatoes. Lightly simmer for five minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half 'n half, oregano, salt, sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Gently simmer for five minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens.
Drain the pasta, reserving one cup of pasta water in case vodka sauce is too thick. Fold the pasta into the sauce, gently tossing with a large metal spoon.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and slip the pasta into large serving bowl. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and basil.

Nutrition