This creamy sweet and spicy tomato recipe is a super easy version of penne all vodka pasta (vodka sauce).
Cream, garlic, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes are all you need to make this easy vodka sauce. This is a sweet, spicy and decadent one pot meal. This is perfect for a quick dinner or weekend pasta party. The key to this recipe is cooking the tomato paste with the garlic and red pepper flakes to wake up the deep rich sweet flavors. Now mix until the sauce is a beautiful pink color. This tells you dinner is going to be a treat yourself moment of happiness. I love making this recipe because all I have to do is shop my fridge and pantry. There are not allot of ingredients and is very easy to make.
This recipe is inspired by a friends outing to Carbone in NYC. Tom and I received a text from our friend that she was able to get a highly prized reservation at Carbone in NYC. She texted us to see who was in. Without even a breath I texted back that we are in for sure. The restaurant was so cool inside. It was a true NYC authentic Italian restaurant. The waiters all smiled in joy for the food that were about to serve you. The plates were decorated like a fancy Italian dishes. But most importantly the food was life changing. I highly recommend you making a reservation here when in NYC. The most amazing thing on the menu was the Spicy Vodka sauce. This was simple beautiful pasta on a plate with pick creamy sauce hugging its carb culinary teammate. Every bite was bright, sweet, buttery, and with a happy kick heat. When I got home I had to recreate it!
Friends Taste Test
So when I got my version perfected, I invited all the people over who were at that dinner. This is so easy I made it while everyone eat my everything pigs in a blanket as an app. We eat pasta by the bowlful. Now, obviously Carbone’s is the best, but everyone at the table agreed it was awesome too. So now I am sharing this with you too! Cheers to happy culinary recipes. Just like life sometimes simplicity is the best.
Recipe Hack / Cooking Tips:
- Salting Pasta Water: Salting the water is the only chance you get to season the pasta. Salt till it tastes like the sea. Take a spoonful of the pasta water (cool it down) and taste it. If it tastes more like salt then water its ready for the pasta! Also do not add the salt to the water till its boiling. If you add salt before the water boils most of the salt stays at the bottom. Then you will not properly season the pasta.
- How to Avoid Garlic from Burning: Since you want the garlic to infuse in the tomato paste you might cook longer then normal. But the garlic in thin coin like shapes. This will let you cook the garlic without it burning after 30 seconds.
- Why Salt Is In Most Recipes: Salt is so important in recipes because it’s a flavor enhancer. It makes food taste more like themselves. A great tip when making savory dishes. At the end taste your final product. If it does not zing, add a small amount of salt at a time and taste. Continue doing this until you taste it zing.
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Things you will need:
- Tomato Paste : Click here: for an awesome recommendation!
- Awesome Pasta Bowl: Click here: for an awesome recommendation!
Watch This Video On How To Make This (video filmed by The Daily Meal):
How To Make Penne Alla Vodka Pasta (Carbone copycat recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ziti, rigatoni or penne
- 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons extra olive oil
- 2 cups cream
- 3 garlic cloves (chopped or sliced)
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper
- 2-3 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
Instructions
- Next, in a pot, add oil and tomato paste to medium heat and cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Now, add red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Next, add cream and whisk to combine. Cook on medium-low for two minutes to thicken.
- Finally, add pasta and cook for a minute to combine sauce and pasta together. Add Parmesan on top if you want and enjoy!
Other Easy Pasta Recipes:
Any question comment below or email! I love helping change the recipe!
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With a grateful heart and an amazing tummy – Jay
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