You won’t believe how fast and easy this homemade pasta dish is to make! With just 15 minutes and a few ingredients you probably already have, you’ll be serving up fresh Pasta Alla Vodka to your family. It’s a perfect vegetarian weeknight dinner or serve it with a grilled chicken breast or Italian sausage.

Creamy pasta alla vodka with shredded cheese and fresh basil leaves in a white dish, served on a navy placemat with a wooden spoon and patterned cloth. Perfect for quick and delicious homemade Italian recipes.

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients:

12 ounces pasta (your choice)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 medium or 1/2 large onion (finely diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
3/4 cup vodka
6 oz can tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper (to taste)
crushed red pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
about a cup of reserved pasta water
fresh basil (optional)

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: Cook your choice of pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is boiling, begin making the sauce. Make sure to reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining your cooked pasta!

Step 2: Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened, not browned. Add in garlic and stir for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Minced onions sautéing in a stainless steel pan, perfect for cooking flavorful recipes and meal prep.

Step 3: Carefully pour in the vodka and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes (liquid will be reduced). Add in tomato paste and stir until combined.

Diced onions being sautéed in a pan with a wooden spatula, with water being added from measuring cup for cooking or seasoning in a step of homemade dish preparation.

Rich tomato and onion sauce cooking in a stainless steel skillet, ideal for making flavorful pasta or Italian dishes. Perfect for hearty, homemade meals.

Step 4: Slowly stir in the heavy cream and simmer on low until the pasta is finished.

Cream pouring into simmered tomato sauce in a stainless steel pot, with a wooden spoon stirring, preparing a homemade pasta or pizza sauce.

Step 5: Add the cooked pasta the skillet. Sprinkle in the parmesan, salt, pepper and a bit of crushed red pepper. Stir until everything is combined. Add a splash of pasta water and stir. Keep adding the pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. Serve with some fresh basil and more parmesan cheese. Yum!

Creamy tomato spaghetti with grated cheese and red pepper flakes in a stainless steel skillet.

Tips:

Always be extra careful when cooking with alcohol, especially over an open flame.
Turn your cooking vent on to prevent fumes while the vodka is being reduced.
I used linguine because that’s what my family prefers, but you can use any pasta you like – penne is a great option.

Pasta Alla Vodka

Creamy tomato pasta with shredded cheese and fresh basil leaves in a white dish, served on a navy placemat with a wooden spoon and patterned cloth. Perfect for quick and delicious homemade Italian recipes.

With just 15 minutes and a few ingredients you probably already have, you'll be serving up fresh Pasta Alla Vodka to your family.

Beth

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 10

Total Time 12

Servings

Ingredients

12 ounces your choice of pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 medium or 1/2 large onion (finely diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
3/4 cup vodka
6 oz can tomato paste
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper (to taste)
crushed red pepper (to taste)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
about a cup of reserved pasta water
fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Cook your choice of pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is boiling, begin making the sauce. Make sure to reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining your cooked pasta!
Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened, not browned. Add in garlic and stir for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Carefully pour in the vodka and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes (liquid will be reduced). Add in tomato paste and stir until combined.
Slowly stir in the heavy cream and simmer on low until pasta is done.
Add the cooked pasta the skillet. Sprinkle in the parmesan, salt, pepper and a bit of crushed red pepper. Stir until everything is combined. Add a splash of pasta water and stir. Keep adding the pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. Serve with some fresh basil and more parmesan cheese. Yum!