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Cooking Guide for Traditional Vodka Pasta Dishes

Spicy Vodka Pasta Cooking Directions

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Spaghetti in Vodka Sauce Cooking Directions
Spaghetti in Vodka Sauce Cooking Directions

Cooking Guide for Traditional Vodka Pasta Dishes

Craving a scrumptious meal that'll clear out your pantry? Give this pasta alla vodka recipe a shot! This dish boasts a vibrant tomato-based sauce and a few other ingredients you'll likely have on standby. Instead of opting for regular tomato sauce, I'm a fan of tomato paste (a pantry must-have, if you haven't already stocked up). Cooked with onions and pancetta, it thickens into a creamy, luxurious paste. Then, vodka and cream are added to transform it into a glossy, decadent sauce.

When preparing vodka sauce, a nifty kitchen hack is saving about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, which is brimming with starch. As it's mixed back into the pasta and sauce, it thickens the mixture, sticking to the noodles like a charm. This dish comes together speedily, as it takes about the same amount of time to cook the pasta (pick your favorite shape – I've even tossed it with ravioli for an indulgent twist). Once you sink your teeth into it, you'll be amazed it's crafted from pantry essentials!

Pantry Pasta alla Vodka Recipe

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb of your preferred pasta
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup pancetta, minced (substitutes: prosciutto or bacon)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 shallot, minced (optional)
  • 1 tube tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons vodka
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, adjust to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook the pasta as instructed on the packaging.
  2. Warm the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Once the butter is melted, add the pancetta and cook until the fat is released and it becomes crispy, about 5 minutes.
  4. Insert the garlic and shallot and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Carefully squeeze in the tomato paste, gently using a wooden spoon to swirl and spread it across the pan. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Pour in the vodka and mix it into the paste.
  7. Add the heavy cream and increase the heat to medium-high. Gently swirl the heavy cream into the paste to evenly incorporate. Season with salt. Adjust as needed.
  8. Strain the pasta and add it, along with the reserved pasta water, to the sauce.
  9. Sprinkle with cheese.

Pantry Pasta Staples:

To create a pantry-friendly version of Pasta alla Vodka, keep these staples on hand:

  • Pasta: Opt for a short pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle.
  • Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing ingredients.
  • Onions or Shallots: Enhance the sauce's flavor.
  • Garlic: Amps up taste.
  • Tomato Paste: Furnishes a concentrated tomato flavor.
  • Vodka: Brings the sauce's flavor to life.
  • Heavy Cream: Lends richness and creaminess.
  • Salt and Pepper: To season your dish.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor.
  • Fresh Basil: For garnish.

Optional Pantry Items:

  • Butter: Amps up sauce richness.
  • Pancetta or Bacon: Lend smoky aroma if at hand.
  1. Cook the pancetta in a skillet with oil and butter, allowing the fat to be released and it to become crispy.
  2. Swirl the tomato paste into the cooked pancetta mixture, incorporating it gently.
  3. Incorporate vodka and heavy cream into the tomato paste mixture, stirring occasionally.
  4. Before serving, sprinkle the pasta dish with nutritious Parmigiano cheese.

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