Rigatoni alla Vodka is a classic Italian-American pasta featuring a vibrant, creamy tomato sauce enriched with vodka and heavy cream. The alcohol cooks off quickly while deepening the tomato flavor, creating a luxurious sauce that tastes restaurant-quality but comes together in minutes.
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In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add the finely chopped shallots and butter. Sauté until the shallots are soft and translucent.
Add a ladle of water to the pan to help cook the shallots without browning.
Pour in the vodka. Carefully ignite the alcohol with a lighter or by tilting the pan towards the flame (flambé) and let it burn off completely.
Once the flame has subsided, add the tomato paste and tomato sauce to the pan. Stir to combine.
Season the sauce with salt and let it simmer.
While the sauce simmers, cook the fresh rigatoni in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions.
Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until it's smooth and has turned a creamy pink color.
Drain the cooked rigatoni and add it directly to the pan with the vodka sauce.
Toss the pasta thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated in the sauce.
Serve the pasta in a bowl, garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.
Store cooled sauce in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat gently over low heat with a splash of pasta water to loosen. Freeze up to 1 month (reheat from thawed).
No. The vodka is flambéed to burn off the alcohol; it acts as a flavor enhancer and emulsifier for the sauce rather than contributing a vodka taste.
Yes. Replace vodka with an equal amount of dry white wine or skip it entirely, though the sauce will lack the depth the vodka provides.
Add vodka to the pan off heat, return to heat briefly until it steams, then carefully ignite with a long lighter or match. Keep a lid nearby to smother flames if needed.
Yes. Double or halve all ingredients proportionally; cooking time remains the same since the sauce comes together quickly.
Yes, as written. All ingredients are vegetarian; ensure your tomato sauce and Parmesan are vegetarian-certified if needed.
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