Clearly pasta is one of my favorite meals and I tend to cook it as much as I can! I am a crazy Italian, what can I say…
I don’t skimp on it either. I can’t see cutting corners and making certain pastas with alternative ingredients – even though they may be healthier – I stay true to form. Plus they taste ridiculously amazing. My husband may hate me for making some extremely sinful pastas but he loves them just as much as I do!
Vodka sauce’s special ingredient is heavy cream and I am totally ok with that! Guess its just the pregnant lady that has invaded my body, but I have been craving creamy, yummy pastas and when a pregnant lady wants it, they ultimately get it! So last night my Sous Chef and I tag teamed in the kitchen and created a delicious Vodka Sauce that kicks any others asses! Well, maybe not any others-my dad’s is pretty bad ass. But still it came out fantastic and really hit the spot. I just can’t see ordering takeout for pasta….if you can boil it, you can make the sauce too!
eyy paisan!
Rigatoni alla Vodka
- 1 lb Rigatoni or Penne pasta
- 1 can Whole Peeled Tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 1-3 Garlic Cloves, roughly chopped (depends how much you like)
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Dash Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 3/4 cup Heavy Cream
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (for garnish)
In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper, cook for about 3 minutes until they become fragrant. Once they are ready, add hand crushed tomatoes and vodka. I usually put the whole can in a mixing bowl and crush away. Cook for about 10 minutes on medium high heat. I don’t like runny sauce, so the longer the tomato mixture cook, the more they will reduce and thicken.
While the tomatoes are cooking, boil water for pasta, adding kosher salt to the water. Cook pasta as directed.
After the tomatoes have thickened, add heavy cream and cheese. Mix well and cook for another 10 minutes. While its cooking, taste and add salt and pepper accordingly. Allow it to thicken a bit more.
Drain pasta and add sauce once it is ready. Garnish with some chopped parsley and you are ready to serve!
This ain’t no fat free, healthy dish, so be prepared! It will however blow your mind!
– Amanda
