Let’s make vodka pasta!

Ingredients

• 1 medium Onion (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for sautéing)
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (cut into cubes)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, adjust heat)
• 1/2 cup Vodka (good quality)
• 8 ounces Medium Shell Pasta (dry)
• 15 ounces Canned Tomato Sauce (plain canned)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream (full‑fat)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 2 slices Texas Toast Bread (optional side, buttered and toasted)

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   Chop the onion into small dice and mince the garlic cloves.

   Time: PT5M

2. Heat Oil and Butter

   Add olive oil and butter to the skillet and heat over medium heat until the butter melts.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: medium

3. Sauté Onion

   Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 3‑4 minutes.

   Time: PT4M

   Temperature: medium

4. Add Garlic and Seasonings

   Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red‑pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds.

   Time: PT1M

   Temperature: medium

5. Deglaze with Vodka

   Pour in the vodka and let it simmer, reducing by about half (2‑3 minutes).

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: medium

6. Add Tomato Sauce

   Stir in the canned tomato sauce, bring to a gentle simmer.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium

7. Boil Pasta Water

   While the sauce simmers, fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: high

8. Cook Pasta

   Add the medium shells to the boiling water and cook al dente according to package directions, usually 10‑12 minutes.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: high

9. Finish Sauce with Cream

   Reduce the sauce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream; let it warm through for 2 minutes without boiling.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: low

10. Drain Pasta

    Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.

    Time: PT2M

11. Combine Pasta and Sauce

    Add the drained pasta to the skillet, toss to coat, and add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a silky texture.

    Time: PT2M

12. Finish and Serve

    Plate the pasta and sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top. Serve immediately.

    Time: PT1M

13. Optional Texas Toast

    Butter the Texas toast slices and toast in a clean skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: medium

Nutrition Facts

Calories

610

Protein

18 g

Carbohydrates

57 g

Fat

32 g

Fiber

6 g