Description
Gigi Hadid Pasta is a creamy vodka-based penne pasta dish that combines a rich tomato sauce with cream, vodka, and Parmesan cheese, garnished with fresh basil and red pepper flakes for a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 can (6 oz) Tomato Paste
- 1 can (28 oz) Crushed Tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh Basil Leaves, to taste
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces Penne Pasta
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
- Boil Water: Heat a large pot of water over medium-high heat. Add a few generous pinches of salt and bring to a rolling boil in preparation for cooking the pasta.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and cook for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Cook Tomato Base: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for another 6-8 minutes, allowing the mixture to darken and stick slightly to the bottom of the pan for deeper flavor.
- Deglaze with Vodka: Pour in 1/2 cup vodka, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits, which adds richness to the sauce.
- Add Cream and Water: Scoop about 1/4 cup boiling pasta water and combine it with 1 cup heavy cream in a heatproof measuring cup. Pour this mixture into the sauce and stir to combine. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You may cook up to 20 minutes for a thicker sauce.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, add penne pasta to the boiling salted water. Cook until al dente according to package instructions. Use a slotted spoon or spider to transfer the pasta directly into the sauce, reserving pasta water if needed.
- Finish Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a smooth, velvety consistency that coats the pasta evenly.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the pasta in large shallow bowls. Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
Notes
- Use high-quality vodka for the best flavor impact in the sauce.
- Be sure to reserve some pasta water; it helps adjust the sauce consistency perfectly.
- For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer longer, up to 20 minutes, but stir frequently to prevent burning.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
- To keep the sauce dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast, but note this changes the flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Gigi Hadid Pasta, Vodka Sauce Pasta, Creamy Penne, Italian-American Pasta, Vodka Pasta Recipe
