Gigi Hadid Spicy Vodka Pasta (Print Version)

Creamy pasta in spicy tomato vodka sauce with parmesan, ready in 30 minutes for a vibrant Italian-American meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 ounces penne pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
06 - 1/2 cup tomato paste
07 - 1/4 cup vodka
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

11 - Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
12 - Extra grated parmesan cheese for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain thoroughly.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the paste to darken and caramelize slightly.
04 - Pour vodka into the skillet, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate fully.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream, stirring constantly, until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
06 - Fold in grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to taste preferences.
07 - Transfer the drained penne to the skillet with sauce. Toss gently to coat pasta evenly; add reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until sauce reaches desired consistency.
08 - Serve immediately in warmed bowls, garnished with chopped fresh basil and additional grated parmesan if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses basic ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Ready to eat in about thirty minutes
  • Easy to make vegetarian-friendly
  • Super creamy and rich with just the right spicy kick
02 -
  • Vegetarian adaptable by using vegetarian parmesan
  • Heats up perfectly for next day lunches
  • Easy to double or halve for crowd size
  • High in comforting carbs and protein
03 -
  • Always save some pasta water so you can adjust the sauce thickness at the last step
  • Do not use pre-shredded parmesan—it never melts as smoothly in a sauce Let the vodka cook off well or you might taste a sharp edge in the sauce My best batches bloom with flavor after letting everything bubble for a moment before adding cream

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