Vodka Pasta Recipe Without Vodka made its rounds on social media when it was made by the supermodel Gigi Hadid during quarantine days! Of course, her recipe was a bit different in terms of ingredients. This recipe went viral immediately on social media and it is still as popular as it was 4 years ago. It’s delicious, creamy, and so flavorful.
This recipe’s flavorful sauce takes this pasta dish to a whole new level. The sauce is made from simple ingredients such as olive oil, heavy cream, tomato paste, herbs, spices, and parmesan cheese.
Also, this recipe is alcohol free and definitely kid-friendly!
Appetizing Vodka Pasta
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick and Simple: It is so quick and so simple to prepare! Your dinner will be ready in 15 minutes. It will become one of your new favorite pasta dishes!
Uses Pantry Staples: The recipe uses simple ingredients that almost everyone has in their kitchen pantry!
Customizable: Vodka pasta recipe without vodka can be easily customized to fit your preferences! You can make it spicier or less creamier.
Delicious: This alcohol free pasta recipe is a crowd-pleaser and everyone will enjoy dinner when it’s on the menu.
Falling in Love with Vodka Pasta Without Vodka
When vodka pasta was all the hype and trending, I refused to make it. I didn’t think something so simple could be so good. But when I made it, my family and I fell in love. It’s so easy to put together and takes about 15 minutes.
Ingredients for Vodka Pasta
With these simple and affordable ingredients, you can make the best pasta dish ever! To make this delicious pasta dish, you will need the following ingredients:
Butter: It adds a special buttery flavor, and adds to the creamy texture
Tomato passata or tomato puree: Use bottled tomato puree or passata.
Red onion: You can use white onion or even onion powder.
Garlic: You need fresh cloves for enhanced flavor.
Heavy cream: For the extra creamy texture and delicious taste.
Pasta water: It is important to leave some pasta water for the thickness, taste, and texture of the sauce.
Red pepper or Aleppo pepper: It’s for the spicy and tangy flavor.
Oregano: Rich Italian seasoning is the best!
Rigatoni pasta: Actually you can use any kind of pasta you prefer.
Basil: Its strong aroma will make the dish more appetizing.
Salt: Add it to taste.
Mozzarella: Buy shredded mozzarella or shred it by yourself.
Parmesan: This flavorful cheese will make your vodka pasta dish an awesome one.
Best Vodka Pasta Dish
How to Make Vodka Pasta Recipe Without Vodka
First, cook your pasta until al dente and set aside.
Now, in a pot, add the butter and melt it on medium heat.
Then, add the finely diced onions and sauté until translucent.
Next, add the garlic and sauté until browned, then add the tomato purée and heavy cream.
After that, mix well and add the spices.
Then, season with salt to taste before adding in the cheese and mix it all until melted.
Finally, add the pasta and pasta water and mix well until coated, heating it up for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Vodka pasta without vodka is a delectable and filling meal in itself, making it a perfect main course. However, pasta dishes tend to be versatile, and some people prefer to pair it with different flavors and sides.
So, this delicious pasta dish can be enjoyed with garlic bread, roasted veggies, or a delicious side salad made with fresh vegetables, such as Greek Salad With Chicken.
You can also add grilled shrimp or shredded/grilled chicken to take this recipe to a whole new level.
It was the first recipe I made in our new apartment, and it was made on a whim, but it became my husband’s favorite that he now asks for at least once a month.
Substitutions and Variations
Half and Half: This recipe is famous for its creamy sauce. However, if you don’t have heavy cream you can substitute it with half and half. You must take into consideration that half and half has less fat content than the heavy cream, so you might need a little less half and half compared to regular heavy cream.
Alcohol-Free Vodka Pasta with Grilled Chicken: This recipe originally does not contain protein, but we cannot deny the power of grilled chicken in elevating this mouth-watering dish into a wholesome one. You simply marinate the chicken breasts with some olive oil, pepper, and salt, then grill them before serving them on top of the pasta.
Flavorful Pasta Dish
Top Tips for the Best Vodka Pasta Recipe
You can cook this pasta dish using any type of pasta, not only rigatoni pasta.
This recipe is without vodka but you can use an alcohol substitute.
You can use a white onion instead of red onion.
For some extra spicy flavor, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
Instead of oregano and basil, you can use chopped parsley or spinach for garnish.
You can also add some protein to the pasta dish like seared shrimp, ground meat, or cubed or shredded chicken.
Important Tip: Don’t forget to reserve about a cup of your pasta cooking liquid for this dish. Add a little more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta. Even if the recipe only calls for ⅓ cup, always keep at least one cup of the pasta water on hand.
Storage Tips
Refrigeration: Wait for the pasta to fully cool down before transferring it to an air-tight container and placing it in the fridge. Once you do that, pasta leftovers will stay for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Freezing: You can surely freeze the pasta leftovers for up to 3 months in a sealed container and then reheat in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use balsamic vinegar, white grape juice or apple juice mixed with a bit of lime juice, or simply lemon and lime juice mixed with a bit of water.
100%!! This pasta dish is restaurant-quality and can be made so easily!
It is vegetarian but you can make this dish completely vegan with vegan butter, coconut cream, and vegan parmesan.
You can use farfalle, penne, shell pasta, or any type of pasta you like. I have used rigatoni pasta.
Must-Try Recipes:
Mulukhiyah Stew (Jute Mallow Stew)
Middle Eastern Bamya (Okra Stew) Recipe
Authentic Palestinian Musakhan Recipe
Chicken Maqluba (Flipped Upside Down)
Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Vodka Pasta Recipe Without Vodka
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ red onion large, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic diced
- 1½ cups tomato passata or puree
- 1¼ cups heavy cream
- ⅓ cup pasta water
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1½ teaspoons crushed red pepper or Aleppo pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- salt to taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ¾ cup parmesan
Instructions
- Cook your pasta until al dente and set aside.
- In a pot, add the butter and melt it on medium heat. Then add the finely diced onions and sauté until translucent.
- Add the garlic and sauté until browned, then add the tomato purée and heavy cream.
- Mix well and add the spices. Then season with salt to taste before adding in the cheese and mix it all until melted.
- Add the pasta and pasta water and mix well until coated, heating it up for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Notes
- You can cook this pasta dish using any type of pasta, not only rigatoni pasta.
- This recipe is without vodka but you can use an alcohol substitute.
- You can use a white onion instead of red onion.
- For some extra spicy flavor, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
- Instead of oregano and basil, you can use chopped parsley or spinach for garnish.
- You can also add some protein to the pasta dish like seared shrimp, ground meat, cubed or shredded chicken.
- Important Tip: Don’t forget to reserve about a cup of your pasta cooking liquid for this dish. Add a little more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta. Even if the recipe only calls for 1/3 cup, always keep at least one cup of the pasta water on hand.
Creamy, cheesy, full of flavor ! Just delicious… the whole loved it including my picky picky children ! Must try
The whole family *^