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Cheesy Pasta alla Vodka

a cheesy Pasta alla Vodka, just like the one you'd order at your favorite local Italian restaurant but BETTER because you made it at home!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 639 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Italian

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup vodka
  • 12 ounces favorite pasta shape
  • ⅔ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • grated Parmigiano-Reggiano to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes and cook for about 1 minute more. Add the entire can of crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In 1 batches, transfer the sauce to a blender and add the cream and vodka. Remove the center knob on the lid (to allow steam to escape) and place a towel over the lid to prevent splattering. Slowly (starting on the lowest setting and increasing every few seconds), blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Return to the saucepan and bring just to a boil over high heat to cook off the vodka. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water, then add the pasta to the sauce with the shredded mozzarella. Stir to combine, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, adding some of the reserved pasta cooking water as needed to thin it out. (you might not need any of the reserved pasta water if you don't need to thin the sauce FYI). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  4. Serve immediately, topped with as much freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top as you want.

Notes

  • If you’ve never had Vodka sauce before – YES there is vodka in it. And NO it will not get you drunk…. aka you’re safe to serve this to kids!! It’s really just an incredible addition to a creamy tomato sauce to give it a bit of zip.

Nutrition Information

Calories 639kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 17g (34%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 63mg (21%) Sodium 142mg (6%) Potassium 306mg (9%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 892IU (18%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 154mg (15%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 639

% Daily Value*

Calories 639kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 69g 23%
Protein 17g 34%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 63mg 21%
Sodium 142mg 6%
Potassium 306mg 7%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 892IU 18%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 154mg 15%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.