Creamy Spicy Vodka Pasta (Printable Recipe)
A creamy, slightly spicy pasta dish made with vodka and coconut milk for a delicious dairy-free and gluten-free alternative.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
01 -
12 oz gluten-free pasta of choice
02 -
1 can full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
03 -
½ cup vodka
04 -
1/3 cup water
05 -
½ white onion, finely chopped
06 -
3 tbsp tomato paste
07 -
1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
08 -
1 tbsp olive oil
09 -
1 tsp red chili flakes
10 -
1 tbsp sea salt, for pasta water
11 -
2 pinches sea salt, for sauce
12 -
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for topping
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Fill a large pot with water and set on high heat. Mince the onion and garlic, then set aside.
02 -
Heat a large saucepan on medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes or until slightly translucent. Add garlic and stir until fragrant (30-60 seconds). Add red chili flakes and stir to combine. Then add tomato paste and stir until it darkens slightly in color.
03 -
Once the tomato paste has darkened and begins to stick to the pan, add water and stir vigorously until it evaporates. Add vodka and continue to stir vigorously until it is absorbed and evaporates. Pour in the entire can of coconut milk and stir gently until the mixture is homogeneous. Reduce heat to medium-low.
04 -
Add 1 tablespoon of sea salt to the boiling pasta water. Add pasta and quickly stir to prevent sticking.
05 -
While the pasta cooks, continue stirring the vodka sauce and raise the heat to medium or medium-high to bring it to a gentle simmer. Be mindful of the heat and keep stirring to prevent the coconut milk from splitting. Simmer for approximately 6 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
06 -
Once the pasta is al dente, turn the sauce heat down to low. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water, then drain the pasta using a strainer. Add the pasta to the sauce and stir to coat. Increase heat to medium or medium-high, adding 1/2 cup of pasta water and stirring gently until absorbed. Continue adding pasta water in 1/2 cup increments, stirring until the sauce thickens and coats the pasta evenly.
07 -
Turn off the heat. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy.
# Extra Tips:
01 -
Be cautious when simmering the sauce to avoid splitting the coconut milk.