Here’s a new twist on the Italian classic pasta dish: rigatoni alla vodka with sun-dried tomatoes. Simple and easy dinner that’s ready in no time!
What’s Vodka Sauce?
An italian-american sauce made from tomato sauce, vodka, cream and spices.
So what flavor does vodka add to the vodka sauce? The vodka helps release the flavours of the tomato sauce and cuts the acidity. Plus, it acts as an emulsifier to maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the cream and tomato sauce to stick together.
What’s the Best Vodka for Rigatoni Alla Vodka?
Use quality vodka for the sauce… one that you will normally use for your favorite cocktail recipe. I really like Tito’s Vodka, which is made from yellow corn or Pur vodka.
Can You Swap Vodka in Vodka Sauce?
Yes! Simply omit the vodka or swap the same amount with vegetable broth or chicken broth.
Ingredient List for Rigatoni Alla Vodka
- Pasta: choose rigatoni. Their wide center help capture the sauce perfectly.
- Tomato paste: concentrated tomato sauce.
- Cream: 15% cooking cream or heavy cream (35%).
- Vodka: quality vodka.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: in oil, simply cut into cubes.
- Parmesan cheese and butter: to add creaminess to the sauce
- Red pepper flakes: spicy taste.
- Fresh basil to garnish.
Expert Tips to Perfectly Cook Pasta
- Make sure you salt the pasta water.
- Don’t fill the pot too much with water. You want to add it a few centimeters higher than the pasta while it cooks. This way, the pasta water will be more concentrated (and more flavourful!).
- Cook the pasta 1 minute less than the packaging instructions. They will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Keep some pasta water to add to the sauce. It will help with the texture and consistency.
Rigatoni Alla Vodka with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
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minutesHere’s a new twist on the Italian classic pasta dish: rigatoni alla vodka with sun-dried tomatoes. Simple and easy dinner that’s ready in no time!
Ingredients
500g of rigatoni pasta (or penne)
2 small shallots, cut into cubes
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp of olive oil
½ cup of tomato paste
¼ cup of vodka
1 cup of cooking cream (15%)
⅔ cup of diced sun-dried tomatoes (from sun-dried tomatoes in oil)
½ cup of parmesan cheese
2 tbsp of unsalted butter
1 tsp of red pepper flakes
Fresh basil to serve
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. I recommend to cook them 1 minute less than the instructions. Pasta will continue to cook in the sauce. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a big pot over medium heat, sauté the shallots and garlic with olive oil for 2-3 minutes. Add tomato paste and mix for 2 minutes. Add vodka and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add cream, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, ½ cup of pasta water and butter. Mix well. Add red pepper flakes. Salt to your preference.
- Transfer cooked pasta into the sauce. If needed, add more pasta water.
- Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
