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Creamy Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

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A comforting and flavorful pasta dish with a creamy, spicy vodka sauce that’s perfect for dinner parties or busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  4. Pour in the vodka and stir. Simmer for another 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
  5. Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated.
  7. Transfer the cooked rigatoni to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

[‘Let the tomatoes simmer and vodka cook off fully for better flavor.’, ‘Salt your pasta water generously for flavorful pasta.’, ‘Use good quality vodka for a better sauce.’, ‘Adjust the spice level by modifying the amount of red pepper flakes.’, ‘Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente is best.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: vodka rigatoni, creamy pasta, spicy pasta, Italian dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://katedishes.com/creamy-spicy-vodka-rigatoni-recipe-perfect-for-dinner/