Description
This creamy, spicy vodka pasta inspired by Gigi Hadid is a quick, comforting dish with a luscious tomato-cream sauce, fresh basil, and a subtle kick of heat. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknights, gatherings, or whenever you crave a bowl of rich, flavorful pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or shells)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup tomato paste (double-concentrated preferred)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt, plus more for pasta water
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
- Optional: chili oil for drizzling
- Optional: grated lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add red onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds (do not brown). Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes until it deepens in color and smells sweet.
- Pour in vodka and let simmer for 2–3 minutes until reduced by half.
- Stir in heavy cream and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until sauce turns orange-pink. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add butter and grated Parmesan. Stir until butter melts and sauce is silky. If too thick, add reserved pasta water, 2 tbsp at a time.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. Stir over low heat for 1–2 minutes so everything melds.
- Serve in bowls topped with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, and chili oil if desired.
Notes
Salt your pasta water well for best flavor. Toast the tomato paste until it darkens for depth. Adjust spice to taste. If sauce splits, whisk in a splash of cream. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for vegan, use coconut cream and nutritional yeast. Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk or pasta water.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: vodka pasta, Gigi Hadid pasta, spicy vodka pasta, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner, vegetarian pasta, Italian pasta, comfort food