Silky Vodka Pasta Sauce

I love Vodka… vodka sauce ;) Thick pasta sauce is necessary for this silky recipe. The key to any homemade pasta sauce is pasta water. Once your pasta is done boiling in water, add some of that water to your sauce! Why? Not only does the water add starch and salt creating more flavor, but it will thicken the pasta sauce. Pasta water is a huge enhancement for all sauces. Adding this tactic to pasta sauce cooking is a must!

Now for the silky vodka sauce- I prefer to use rigatoni as my noodle base. Any noodle will suffice though. If you like spicy, you can throw in some red chili flakes into the sauce to create some heat.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons of butter (1/2 stick)

• 1/4 cup of vodka (I prefer Titos)

• 1 garlic glove - finely chopped

• A handful of diced white onions

• 10 cherry tomatoes - finely chopped

• 3/4 cup of heavy cream

• 1/2 cup pasta water

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• s&p to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large skillet on medium heat- melt 2 tablespoons of butter. As the butter begins to melt, add in the finely chopped cherry tomatoes, garlic and white onions. Stir occasionally until the tomatoes, onions and garlic are cooked. Crush down the tomatoes as well.

2. Add in the 1/4 cup of vodka and slowly stir. You will want to let this simmer for about 7-8 minutes to cook out the alcohol.

3. Add in the heavy cream and continue to stir. Add in the tomato paste and begin the whisk the sauce until the paste is mixed in with the cream. Throw in the last two tablespoons of butter.

4. Add in the half cup of pasta water and continue to whisk. Add salt and pepper to taste

5. Add the cooked pasta in the sauce pan and mix until the noodles and swimming in the vodka sauce.

• Optional cooking notes:

  • You can add in more tomato paste or pasta water if you would like to thicken the sauce more.

  • Serve with parmesan on top of the noods.