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Vodka Sauce Recipe

Wow your family with this delicious vodka sauce and pasta recipe. Quick and easy for busy weeknights.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 679 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ medium yellow onion chopped (130g)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup vodka (80mL)
  • 1 (28-ounce/794g) can whole, peeled tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120mL)
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (optional) (340g)
  • 2 tablespoons Freshly chopped basil
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (24g)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
  2. Add the tomato paste to the skillet and stir well to combine. Let cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it has darkened in color.
  3. Pour in the vodka. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vodka has almost fully reduced.
  4. Add the canned tomatoes and the salt. Using the wooden spoon, break each of the tomatoes in half. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, until it’s slightly reduced. Remove from the heat.
  5. Carefully ladle the mixture into the canister of a blender. Place the lid on the canister, but remove the center insert to leave an vent. Hold a paper towel or clean dish towel loosely over the opening. Puree on medium-low speed until almost smooth, about 30 seconds. Pour the mixture back into the skillet. (You can also use an immersion blender.)
  6. If serving with pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander.
  7. Return the skillet of sauce to medium-low heat. Pour in the cream and stir well to combine. Once it comes to a low simmer, add the basil and parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
  8. If adding pasta, stir it in along with ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water until the pasta is well coated. (If the sauce is too thick, add more of the reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency). Serve immediately, topped with more freshly grated parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
  9. The pasta sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated parmesan: The pre-packaged kind is a lot drier and does not melt as nicely.
  • Leave a vent for steam when blending the tomatoes. The sauce will be hot going from the stove to the blender, so you need to leave a vent in the lid for the steam to escape while blending. Otherwise, you run the risk of the top exploding off the blender, making a huge mess.
  • Skip the traditional blender: You can also make this sauce in a large pot and use an immersion blender to puree right in the pot.
  • If the sauce is too thick: Add more of the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency. If you aren’t serving this with pasta, add regular water, additional vodka, or chicken or vegetable broth to thin out the sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 679kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 78g (26%) Protein 18g (36%) Fat 29g (45%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 10g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 60mg (20%) Sodium 1163mg (48%) Potassium 735mg (21%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 1147IU (23%) Vitamin C 23mg (26%) Calcium 226mg (23%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 679

% Daily Value*

Calories 679kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 78g 26%
Protein 18g 36%
Fat 29g 45%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 10g 50%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 60mg 20%
Sodium 1163mg 48%
Potassium 735mg 16%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 1147IU 23%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 226mg 23%
Iron 4mg 22%

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