Vodka Pasta

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Rule #308: You can never go wrong with vodka and pasta. Especially if they’re put together.

I can’t quit this pasta, y’all. We dream about it. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and made it this past Saturday to calm my cravings. It’s got pancetta (or bacon), vodka, tomatoes, and pasta. I mean, seriously. What could possibly go wrong? It’s perfect. Pasta Perfect.

Vodka-Pasta-1

To make it a little lighter, we used Banza chickpea pasta. It has fewer calories and carbs, plus more fiber. It’s just as delicious as regular pasta! Try it out!

Vodka-Pasta-Recipe

If you are looking for your next favorite cookbook, you have to get this one: The Godfather: The Corleone Family Cookbook. I adapted this recipe from their Pasta alla Vodka. All of the recipes in the book are wonderful! They even have cute blurbs before each recipe that relate to the Godfather Trilogy. We are actually having the Wedding Soup from this cookbook for dinner tonight (minus the pasta – going low carb).

Corleone family cookbook

Okidoki then, let’s make us some Vodka Pasta then, shall we? First, sauté some pancetta until it’s about halfway browned, and then add in some diced onion. Continue to cook until onion is softened.

brown-pancetta-and-saute-onion

Meanwhile, cook your pasta until al dente in heavily salted water (think: the salinity of the sea). Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process.

boil-pasta-in-heavily-salted-water

Now, once your pancetta and onion are browned and softened, add in some minced garlic. Stir and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Then, pour in the delicious vodka and allow to simmer, scraping the browned bits from the bottom.

browned-pancetta-and-yellow-onion

Add in a can of crushed tomatoes and some salt and pepper. My favorite tomatoes are San Marzano; I just crush them gently with my hand into the pot. Just be careful – they’re awfully messy little fellas (hint: don’t wear white when making this dish).

san-marzano-tomatoes

Stir in the tomatoes, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the cover and cook an additional 5 minutes, until sauce has thickened.

simmer-tomatoes-in-sauce

Lower the heat and pour in some heavy cream. Ohhhhh yes, the gorgeous, sinful, delectable heavy cream. Simmer another 5 minutes.

add-heavy-cream

Then, throw in your cooked pasta and stir to combine. Add in some grated Parmesan, and stir until melted. Garnish with julienned basil.

stir-in-cooked-pasta-and-parmesan

There’s something about a hearty bowl of pasta that makes me want to get my comfy blanket and turn on The Godfather. Hearing Don Corleone talk is a bit of comfort food for my ears. Add that to this bowl of delicious, creamy comfort food for my belly, and I’m a pretty happy camper!

Pasta-alla-Vodka

Pair this with a simple salad of leafy greens, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, and you’ve got a meal fit for a king… or in this case, a Don.

Vodka-Pasta-Easy-Recipe

And as with most Italian dishes, this one is best served family style with your favorite people.


Vodka-Pasta-1

Vodka Pasta

This Vodka Pasta (traditionally Pasta alla Vodka) is so simple and delicious. You probably have all of these ingredients at your house already! Get ready for a delicious pasta dinner! 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6
Calories 409 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz. pancetta or bacon chopped
  • ½ yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • ½ cup vodka
  • 1 28- oz. can crushed tomatoes
  • ¾ tsp. Kosher salt plus more for boiling pasta
  • ¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 lb. pasta penne, elbow, or other tube-like pasta
  • Basil leaves julienned
  • Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the pancetta or bacon over medium-high heat. Add in the onion and sauté until softened (about 8 minutes). Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Pour in the vodka and stir to scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.
  • Turn the heat to medium-low and add in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove the lid and simmer another 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Slowly pour the cream into the tomato sauce, stirring to combine. Simmer another 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the tomato sauce, stir, and cook another minute. Gently stir in the basil. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 9gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 1082mgPotassium: 779mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1220IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 3mg

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and Pineapple House Rules makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Keyword italian, pasta, pasta alla vodka, vodka pasta
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2 thoughts on “Vodka Pasta”

  1. Made this for my Italian husband tonight (he is very critical of pasta not made my his mother) and he loved it! Thank you so much for this awesome recipe, it was a success in my Italian household!

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