I love a good pasta alla vodka, and this is a really good pasta alla vodka recipe which is why you need to try it out. There is just something about this sauce that makes you want to eat a gallon of it. This recipe may look a little intimidating at first, but I can assure you that it is fairly simple. Instead of using just regular tomatoes, this recipe calls for a combination of sun-dried and regular tomatoes. The sun-dried tomatoes add this deep tomato flavor that no amount of regular tomatoes or tomato paste will ever reach. The tomato flavor is seriously good. The sweetness from the tomatoes is perfectly balanced by the rest of the flavors. The vodka is optional, but adds a kick so it's highly recommended. Pair this luxuriously creamy sauce with your favorite pasta, some cheese, basil, and chili flakes and you have one impressive meal.
TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes SERVINGS: 4
INGREDIENTS:
14 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
1 cup tightly packed sun-dried tomatoes (if they are soaked in oil, shake off some of the oil)
1/2 onion (diced)
5 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons of vodka (optional)
About 1/4 cup basil (chopped)
Chili flakes (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Parmesan cheese (to taste)
1 lb pasta of your choice
RECIPE:
Boil your pasta in well salted water according to the box instructions. Drain the pasta one minute before the instructions on the box. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
Heat a large skillet on a medium flame with two tablespoons of olive oil. Add your onions in and cook for 3-5 minutes or until translucent. Add in the garlic, some chili flakes, and vodka. Then cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes and a couple tablespoons of pasta water,. Cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the tomatoes soften.
Blend the sauce using an immersion blender. Pour in your cream and a couple more tablespoons of the pasta water. Blend again until the sauce is smooth. Add more cream or pasta water if necessary to smooth out the sauce . Mix in the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
Add your cooked pasta to the pan and the remainder of your pasta water. Let the pasta cook in the sauce for a couple minutes. Season with more salt, pepper, and chili flakes if necessary. Add cheese to taste.
Top with more cheese, chili flakes, and basil before serving.