0 from 81 votes
Easy Vodka Sauce
A creamy and tomato-based pasta sauce with a touch of vodka adds a unique richness and depth to the flavor.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 510 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Condiments
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes with juices, 1 can
- ½ small onion finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 4 ounces pancetta chopped, or bacon ½-inch dice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup vodka
- 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese or romano cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Using your hands, squish the whole tomatoes into a bowl to break them up (reserving the juices) and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, 3 minutes. Stir in the pancetta or bacon and continue cooking until some of the fat has rendered out, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
- Add the vodka and bring to a low boil, let boil uncovered for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the whole and crushed tomatoes (with any juices) and the pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and simmer for an additional 9 to 11 minutes or until thickened.
- Remove from heat, and add the parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir, taste, and season with salt and pepper.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This is enough sauce to toss with 16 oz dry pasta.
- No vodka? No problem! Use a splash of white wine instead (although it won’t technically be vodka sauce anymore). If you’d like to make this recipe without alcohol, leave the vodka out. It will change the flavor but it will still be delicious.
- No vodka? No problem! Use a splash of white wine instead (although it won’t technically be vodka sauce anymore). If you’d like to make this recipe without alcohol, leave the vodka out. It will change the flavor but it will still be delicious.
- San Marzano tomatoes are preferred if you can get them. Break up whole tomatoes by hand before using or with the back of a wooden spoon in the pan.
- San Marzano tomatoes are preferred if you can get them.
- San Marzano tomatoes
- Break up whole tomatoes by hand before using or with the back of a wooden spoon in the pan.
- Add grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or Italian sausage if desired.
- Add grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or Italian sausage if desired.
- Italian sausage
- Save some pasta water, if you mix the sauce with pasta, add a bit of reserved pasta water. Not only does it help with consistency, but the starches also help the sauce cling better.
- Save some pasta water, if you mix the sauce with pasta, add a bit of reserved pasta water. Not only does it help with consistency, but the starches also help the sauce cling better.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.25of the recipe
Calories
510
(26%)
Carbohydrates
21g
(7%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
39g
(60%)
Saturated Fat
19g
(95%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
771mg
(32%)
Potassium
846mg
(24%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
11g
(22%)
Vitamin A
1730IU
(35%)
Vitamin C
34mg
(38%)
Calcium
223mg
(22%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 510
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.25of the recipe | |
| Calories | 510 | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 771mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 846mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 1730IU | 35% |
| Vitamin C | 34mg | 38% |
| Calcium | 223mg | 22% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.