Pink Vodka Sauce with Pasta

Elevate your pasta night with this luxurious Pink Vodka Sauce with Pasta, a creamy and flavorful dish that strikes the perfect balance between tangy tomato richness and velvety creaminess. This indulgent sauce is crafted by simmering tomato paste with a splash of vodka, which enhances the deep, robust flavors, before being enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. A hint of crushed red pepper flakes lends subtle heat, while garlic and sautéed onions infuse a delicious aromatic base. Tossed with your favorite pasta—like penne or rigatoni—and finished with fresh basil, this restaurant-quality dish is ready in just 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or an elegant date night meal, this recipe brings comforting, Italian-inspired decadence right to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 0.5 cups vodka
• 1 cups heavy cream
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 pounds dry pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4

Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, until the paste deepens in color.

Step 5

Deglaze the skillet by adding vodka. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 7

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper. Mix well to combine and melt the cheese into the sauce.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with freshly chopped basil leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1211.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3578.1

Total Fat 151.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 75.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 342mg	0%
Sodium 3259.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 385.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 37.4g
Protein 84.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 653.6mg	0%
Iron 12.0mg	0%
Potassium 2970.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.1%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 47.5%