Spicy Vodka Rigatoni Recipe with Creamy Burrata
A quick and easy pasta dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a bold, spicy vodka sauce and topped with creamy burrata cheese for a perfect blend of comfort and excitement.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup vodka (60 ml)
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (800 g), preferably San Marzano
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 8 ounces burrata cheese (225 g), torn into pieces
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 11-13 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain, reserving about 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in vodka carefully, simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and burn off alcohol.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream until sauce turns pinkish and velvety. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Add drained rigatoni to the skillet and toss gently to coat, letting pasta absorb sauce for 1-2 minutes. Adjust consistency with pasta water if needed.
- Plate the rigatoni and tear fresh burrata cheese over the top. Garnish with chopped basil leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
Keep an eye on sauce thickness and adjust with pasta water or cream as needed. Add burrata just before serving to maintain its creamy texture. Salt pasta water generously. Reduce vodka slowly to mellow flavor and burn off alcohol.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups per s
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 18
Keywords: spicy vodka rigatoni, creamy burrata, pasta recipe, easy dinner, quick pasta, vodka sauce, Italian pasta, weeknight dinner