Spicy rigatoni alla vodka hits the jackpot for taste! Tender rigatoni pasta will get tossed in creamy tomato sauce with a splash (or two) of vodka and zesty pink pepper flakes. If you happen to’ve ever tried Italian-American restaurant Carbone’s spicy rigatoni vodka, you’ll love this selfmade model.
I like simple pasta dinners like this rigatoni vodka pasta and creamy lemon pasta, which I can have on the desk in 20 minutes. Simply add a aspect of breadsticks!
I’m undecided what the Italians thought after they determined a shot of vodka belonged in a pot of creamy tomato pasta sauce, however I’m glad they did. Only a splash is all it takes to tie this vodka sauce collectively, from the caramelized shallots to the tangy tomato paste and tingly pink pepper flakes.
I can’t watch for our subsequent date evening in as a result of this spicy rigatoni vodka is ideal. Goce, my pasta-loving husband, goes to be thrilled! In the meantime, I’ll be in search of an excuse to entertain. You may wager this simple pasta might be on the menu!
Why I Love This Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka Recipe
Prepared in 20 minutes. Other than boiling the pasta individually, you can also make this rigatoni vodka recipe in a single pan on the stovetop in 20 minutes or much less.
Zesty and creamy. I like the zing of chili flakes in my favourite selfmade vodka sauce. It’s simple to adapt if you happen to’d choose your sauce milder or extra spicy. In the meantime, this sauce seems SO silky because of a bit of vodka magic and a very good quantity of heavy cream. I believe we’re all in settlement that carbs take a corridor move on pasta evening.
Date evening authorized. I don’t know if it’s the colour of the sauce (pink is the colour of affection, in any case), however I can’t consider a greater dinner-for-two pasta dish than this spicy rigatoni vodka with a aspect of filet mignon! And even higher, you’ll have leftovers for lunch!
What You’ll Want
This spicy rigatoni alla vodka is an element pasta arrabbiata, half creamy tomato pasta, and 100% simple to make with easy elements. Discover some fast notes under. You’ll want to scroll to the recipe card after the publish for a printable elements record with quantities.
- Rigatoni – I like rigatoni or mezzi (smaller rigatoni) in recipes like this as a result of the little tube shapes get coated with sauce in and out. However you should utilize any pasta you have got within the cabinet. For finest outcomes, although, attempt to substitute an analogous pasta with ridges, like penne.
- Olive Oil – For sautéeing.
- Shallot – Or one other delicate onion, like yellow onion.
- Garlic – Freshly minced. Garlic powder can be utilized if recent garlic isn’t obtainable.
- Tomato Paste – This may be substituted with tomato puree or tomato sauce in a pinch.
- Butter – A few knobs of butter give the sauce further richness. You may skip this if you happen to’d like.
- Purple Pepper Flakes – Crushed pink pepper flakes are all the time my first selection, however you may change dried flakes with crushed Calabrian chilis or chili paste, just like the Carbone recipe. Adapt the quantity to style.
- Vodka – The sport-changer! You don’t want to make use of the top-shelf stuff, however I all the time suggest cooking with alcohol that you simply’d prefer to drink. And whereas it technically gained’t be alla vodka, you may substitute vodka on this sauce if wanted. Extra on this under.
- Heavy Cream – You need to use complete milk as an alternative or half & half, however the sauce gained’t be fairly as silky.
- Parmesan – For the love of taste, please use freshly grated!
- Seasonings – Salt and pepper, plus recent parsley for garnish.
What Does Alla Vodka Imply?
As you may see, rigatoni alla vodka is usually tomato sauce with the addition of cream, vodka, and on this case, pink pepper flakes. The cream softens the tanginess of the vodka and kick from the chilis, and provides the sauce its iconic pink-orange coloration.
Whereas vodka sauce’s origins are a bit of fuzzy, some say that the unique recipe, penne alla vodka, originated in Bologna, Italy. Which simply so occurs to be the hometown of one other favourite of mine, Bolognese sauce! Overlook pasta evening, I’m sensing a pasta WEEK approaching.
Can I Substitute the Vodka?
Positive, and your sauce will nonetheless end up tasty. If you should change the vodka in your vodka sauce, gin or dry white white are good substitutes. Hen broth can be used if you happen to’d choose to make your sauce alcohol-free.
Easy methods to Make Spicy Rigatoni Vodka
Let’s get cooking! Mild the candles, pour your self a glass of cool rosé (or shake your self a martini whereas the vodka’s out), and observe together with the brief recipe notes outlined right here. You’ll discover printable directions within the recipe card.
- Prepare dinner your pasta. Begin by cooking the rigatoni in salted boiling water. Purpose for al dente, which means agency with a bit of chunk. Earlier than you drain the pasta– crucial– scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water and set this apart for the sauce.
- Put together the sauce. Drain the pasta, and get shallots and garlic sauteeing in a skillet. Add tomato paste and butter, and stir within the pink pepper flakes.
- End the sauce. After that’s cooked off a bit of, you’ll pour within the vodka to deglaze the pan. Lastly, whisk within the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. You’ll wish to do that over low warmth in order that the dairy doesn’t break up.
- Put all of it collectively. Toss your cooked rigatoni proper within the skillet with the sauce. Drizzle in a bit of pasta water, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with recent parsley. Buon appetito!
Recipe Ideas
My prime ideas for cooking the very best rigatoni alla vodka come all the way down to the way you cook dinner your pasta:
- Salt the pasta water. The important thing to completely seasoned pasta is well-seasoned pasta water. Ask any Nonna from Italy, and she or he’ll inform you, that the water used to cook dinner pasta must be salty just like the Mediterranean Sea. I like to recommend including anyplace between 1-3 tablespoons relying on how a lot water is within the pot. Additionally, professional tip: You need to use any cheap desk salt for this. Save your fancy sea salt for ending!
- Save the pasta water. Reserve not less than 1 cup of the water you used to boil your pasta earlier than you chuck the remainder out. If you should skinny out the sauce, doing so with pasta water is one of the simplest ways to carry your vodka sauce collectively with out compromising taste. The starches within the water emulsify with the opposite elements, and the salt helps construct up the flavour.
- Don’t overcook. Ensure to cook dinner the rigatoni till it’s simply al dente. You need the within to be a bit of agency whereas the surface has some give. Observe the instructions on the package deal, as not all pasta manufacturers cook dinner the identical. And, do your finest to not overcook the noodles, as they’ll turn into mushy.
Serving Solutions
This spicy rigatoni vodka is the right meatless dish simply begging to be devoured with a aspect of focaccia and a glass of your favourite wine. Often, all we have to spherical out a meal is a sharing-sized chef’s salad, or this Mediterranean salad with roasted candy corn and chickpeas.
If you happen to’d choose a cooked veggie aspect, strive lemon butter inexperienced beans or sautéed broccolini. This rigatoni alla vodka is scrumptious in any season, whether or not we’re entertaining on a cold winter night or eating outdoor in the summertime!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Maintain leftover rigatoni in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Often, I’m not too keen on freezing pasta recipes, particularly ones with cream within the sauce, because the dairy tends to separate as soon as it’s thawed.
To reheat, heat your leftovers in a saucepan on the stovetop with a sprinkle of water to assist loosen the sauce. You can even reheat this pasta within the microwave in 30-second increments.
Extra Simple Pasta Recipes
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Prepare dinner the pasta. Convey a big pot of water to a boil. Add the teaspoon of salt to the boiling water, adopted by the rigatoni. Prepare dinner the pasta in line with the package deal directions till al dente. As soon as cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Put aside.
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Saute the aromatics. In a big skillet or saucepan, warmth the olive oil over medium warmth. Add the shallots and saute till translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 15 seconds or till aromatic.
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Construct taste. Stir within the tomato paste, butter, and pink pepper flakes. Saute for 2-3 minutes till the tomato paste has darkened in coloration.
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Deglaze. Pour the vodka into the skillet and cook dinner for 2-3 minutes, stirring often to knock any brown bits off of the underside of the pan.
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Make it creamy. Whisk within the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes.
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Make it tacky. Flip the warmth to low and add the cheese. Stir till melted.
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Put all of it collectively. Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta. If the sauce is simply too thick, stir in a little bit of the reserved pasta water to skinny it out. Flip off the warmth and season with salt and pepper to style.
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Serve. Serve heat garnished with recent parsley.
Serving: 8ounces | Energy: 569kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 15g | Fats: 26g | Saturated Fats: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 8g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 725mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1.322IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 2mg
Dietary data is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values might differ in line with the elements and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed data.
