Spicy Rigatoni Vodka | Diethood

Spicy rigatoni alla vodka hits the jackpot for taste! Tender rigatoni pasta will get tossed in creamy tomato sauce with a splash (or two) of vodka and zesty pink pepper flakes. In case you’ve ever tried Italian-American restaurant Carbone’s spicy rigatoni vodka, you’ll love this do-it-yourself model.

I like simple pasta dinners like this rigatoni vodka pasta and creamy lemon pasta, which I can have on the desk in 20 minutes. Simply add a aspect of breadsticks!

I’m undecided what the Italians thought once they determined a shot of vodka belonged in a pot of creamy tomato pasta sauce, however I’m glad they did. Only a splash is all it takes to tie this vodka sauce collectively, from the caramelized shallots to the tangy tomato paste and tingly pink pepper flakes.

I can’t watch for our subsequent date evening in as a result of this spicy rigatoni vodka is ideal. Goce, my pasta-loving husband, goes to be thrilled! In the meantime, I’ll be searching for an excuse to entertain. You may guess this simple pasta might be on the menu!

Why I Love This Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka Recipe

Prepared in 20 minutes. Apart from boiling the pasta individually, you may make this rigatoni vodka recipe in a single pan on the stovetop in 20 minutes or much less. 

Zesty and creamy. I like the zing of chili flakes in my favourite do-it-yourself vodka sauce. It’s simple to adapt in case you’d want your sauce milder or extra spicy. In the meantime, this sauce seems SO silky because of somewhat vodka magic and a superb quantity of heavy cream. I believe we’re all in settlement that carbs take a corridor go on pasta evening.

Date evening accredited. I don’t know if it’s the colour of the sauce (pink is the colour of affection, in any case), however I can’t consider a greater dinner-for-two pasta dish than this spicy rigatoni vodka with a aspect of filet mignon! And even higher, you’ll have leftovers for lunch!

What You’ll Want

This spicy rigatoni alla vodka is an element pasta arrabbiata, half creamy tomato pasta, and 100% simple to make with easy elements. Discover some fast notes under. Be sure you scroll to the recipe card after the submit for a printable elements checklist with quantities.

• Rigatoni – I like rigatoni or mezzi (smaller rigatoni) in recipes like this as a result of the little tube shapes get coated with sauce in and out. However you should use any pasta you will have within the cabinet. For greatest outcomes, although, attempt to substitute an analogous pasta with ridges, like penne.
• Olive Oil – For sautéeing.
• Shallot – Or one other delicate onion, like yellow onion.
• Garlic – Freshly minced. Garlic powder can be utilized if recent garlic isn’t out there.
• Tomato Paste – This may be substituted with tomato puree or tomato sauce in a pinch.
• Butter – A few knobs of butter give the sauce further richness. You may skip this in case you’d like.
• Crimson Pepper Flakes – Crushed pink pepper flakes are at all times my first selection, however you’ll be able to exchange dried flakes with crushed Calabrian chilis or chili paste, just like the Carbone recipe. Adapt the quantity to style.
• Vodka – The sport-changer! You don’t want to make use of the top-shelf stuff, however I at all times advocate cooking with alcohol that you just’d wish to drink. And whereas it technically gained’t be alla vodka, you’ll be able to substitute vodka on this sauce if wanted. Extra on this under.
• Heavy Cream – You need to use complete milk as an alternative or half & half, however the sauce gained’t be fairly as silky.
• Parmesan – For the love of taste, please use freshly grated!
• Seasonings – Salt and pepper, plus recent parsley for garnish.

What Does Alla Vodka Imply?

As you’ll be able to see, rigatoni alla vodka is generally tomato sauce with the addition of cream, vodka, and on this case, pink pepper flakes. The cream softens the tanginess of the vodka and kick from the chilis, and offers the sauce its iconic pink-orange colour.

Whereas vodka sauce’s origins are somewhat fuzzy, some say that the unique recipe, penne alla vodka, originated in Bologna, Italy. Which simply so occurs to be the hometown of one other favourite of mine, Bolognese sauce! Neglect pasta evening, I’m sensing a pasta WEEK approaching.

The best way to Make Spicy Rigatoni Vodka

Let’s get cooking! Mild the candles, pour your self a glass of cool rosé (or shake your self a martini whereas the vodka’s out), and comply with together with the brief recipe notes outlined right here. You’ll discover printable directions within the recipe card.

1. Prepare dinner your pasta. Begin by cooking the rigatoni in salted boiling water. Goal for al dente, that means agency with somewhat chew. Earlier than you drain the pasta– essential– scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water and set this apart for the sauce. 
2. Put together the sauce. Drain the pasta, and get shallots and garlic sauteeing in a skillet. Add tomato paste and butter, and stir within the pink pepper flakes. 
3. End the sauce. After that’s cooked off somewhat, you’ll pour within the vodka to deglaze the pan. Lastly, whisk within the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. You’ll need to do that over low warmth in order that the dairy doesn’t cut up.
4. Put all of it collectively. Toss your cooked rigatoni proper within the skillet with the sauce. Drizzle in somewhat pasta water, season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with recent parsley. Buon appetito!

Serving Solutions

This spicy rigatoni vodka is the right meatless dish simply begging to be devoured with a aspect of focaccia and a glass of your favourite wine. Often, all we have to spherical out a meal is a sharing-sized chef’s salad, or this Mediterranean salad with roasted candy corn and chickpeas.

In case you’d want a cooked veggie aspect, attempt lemon butter inexperienced beans or sautéed broccolini. This rigatoni alla vodka is scrumptious in any season, whether or not we’re entertaining on a cold winter night or eating outside in the summertime!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Hold leftover rigatoni in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Often, I’m not too keen on freezing pasta recipes, particularly ones with cream within the sauce, for the reason that dairy tends to separate as soon as it’s thawed.

To reheat, heat your leftovers in a saucepan on the stovetop with a sprinkle of water to assist loosen the sauce. You too can reheat this pasta within the microwave in 30-second increments.

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