Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka Recipes

SPICY RIGATONI ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Add the pasta to a large pot of heavily salted boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions.
• In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the garlic. Continue to cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chile paste and cook until the tomato paste begins to caramelize and slightly stick to the pot, 2 to 3 minutes. Deglaze the pot with the vodka, releasing all the flavorful bits from the bottom. Continue to cook for 1 more minute. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Remove from the heat.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use, then drain the pasta. Add the pasta directly to the pot of sauce and toss to combine. Add 1/4 cup of the pasta water and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Continue to mix, slowly adding more pasta water as needed a splash at a time, until the desired sauce consistency is achieved. (Discard any remaining pasta water.) Top with fresh basil and more cheese.

PASTA ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water). Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Heat the oil in a deep 12-inch skillet or pot over medium. Add the pancetta, if using, and fry until crispy, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the vodka and cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and then fill the can halfway with water and swish it around to loosen up any leftover tomatoes; add a quarter to half of the water to the pan. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. If you prefer your sauce a little looser, go ahead and add the remaining water and simmer 2 to 3 minutes more. Reduce heat to low, add the cream and cook, stirring, until the sauce becomes an even pinkish-rust color, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the cooked pasta and 1/4 cup cheese; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls, top with additional cheese, if desired, and sprinkle with the oregano and parsley.