Spicy Vodka Pasta

I have been seeing so many recipes for vodka pasta that it felt like fate when I came across a YouTube video for it from Sam the Cooking Guy. This recipe (linked below) is really just amazing. I love the creaminess and it has the perfect spice level! The beautiful part about a vodka sauce is that it takes under 20 minutes to make. It is a quick recipe that can go from the stove to the table in no time. It also does not call for a lot of ingredients!

I started by preparing all of my ingredients so I could have a seamless transition throughout the cooking process. I began to boil a large pot of water on the stove for the pasta. I diced one onion, minced 3 cloves of garlic, and I opened a can of tomato paste. I also measured out ¼ cup of vodka, 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ½ tsp paprika, and ½ cup shredded parmesan. While the pasta (one pound, cooked to package directions) was cooking, I sautéed the onion in a large pan over medium heat in oil. After about 3 minutes, I added in the garlic. Then, I stirred in the tomato paste and let it cook for about 5 minutes (until darker in color). I added the vodka and as soon as that cooked off I added the heavy whipping cream. I also added the red pepper flakes, paprika, and seasoned with salt and pepper. I drained the pasta (reserved some pasta water) and added the pasta to the sauce. I followed the pasta with most of the parmesan cheese and about ¼ cup pasta water*. I served this pasta with a garnish of chopped parsley.

Sam does include a recipe for spicy garlic bread and a breadcrumb topping in his recipe. I decided to make just the sauce and pasta, but I bet the other additions would be awesome! I think I would like to try to make his spicy garlic bread sometime!

*Continue to add pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency.

Link to original recipe!