Pasta Alla Vodka with Pesto
A spicy flavor packed pasta alla vodka Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, minced
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2-3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb pasta - your choice!
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped or torn for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallot, garlic, and oregano. Cook until the shallots begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, cook 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the vodka, cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the pesto and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain.
- To the vodka sauce, add the pasta, 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, and the butter, tossing until the butter has melted. Add the parmesan and basil. If needed, thin the sauce with additional pasta cooking water.
- Divide the pasta among plates and top with basil and cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is tweaked from several versions, but most closely based on Tieghan Girard's Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka linked here - https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spicy-pesto-pasta-alla-vodka/
If you want to avoid cooking with vodka you can substitute chicken or vegetable broth in the same quantity.
This recipe is easy to make ahead as a sauce that you can store or freeze for make ahead meal prep.