It would be SHELLfish not to share this dreamy, creamy tomato basil vodka sauce pasta with you. Whether youâre planning date night, a solo treat-yourself dinner, or hosting friends, this pasta brings gourmet vibes with minimal effort. Itâs velvety, tangy, cheesy, and totally irresistibleâplus, you might already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. đ
Letâs get into it!
đ§ Why Youâll Love This Tomato Basil Vodka Sauce
This isnât just any tomato pasta sauce. Vodka sauce has that perfect balance of tang from the tomato paste, creaminess from the heavy cream, and a subtle sharpness from the vodka that just brings it all together. Itâs indulgent yet simple, elegant but easy.
⨠Creamy and comforting
⨠Quick weeknight mealâready in 30 minutes
⨠Customizableâgo vegetarian or add seafood/chicken
⨠Restaurant-level flavor with pantry ingredients
đ Focus Keyphrase: Tomato Basil Vodka Sauce
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đ Ingredients Youâll Need
Hereâs what youâll need to recreate this shellfish-optional masterpiece:
- ½ lb pasta (Shells or your fave shapeâpenne, rigatoni, or fusilli all work)
- 2 tbsp butter
- Dash of olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 oz cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 shot vodka (Titoâs is great, but use your favorite)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: shrimp, scallops, or chicken if you’re craving protein!
đ How To Make Tomato Basil Vodka Sauce Pasta
1. Cook Your Pasta
Bring salted water to a boil and cook ½ lb pasta until just al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
đĄ Pro tip: Pasta water adds extra flavor and helps bind your sauce beautifully.
2. SautĂŠ the Aromatics
In a large pan over medium heat, add 2 tbsp butter and a dash of olive oil. Once melted, toss in your minced garlic and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and let them cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
đ When the tomatoes start to burst and caramelize a bit, smush them gently with the back of your spoon.
3. Build the Flavor Base
Add 3 tbsp of tomato paste and stir into the garlic-tomato mixture. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns a deep, rich red.
4. Deglaze with Vodka
Time for the fun part! Add 1 shot of vodka to the pan. Stir well and let it simmer for about 5â7 minutes. This burns off the alcohol but keeps the flavor.
đ¸ Donât worryâit doesnât taste boozy! It just enhances the tomato and cream flavors.
5. Make It Creamy
Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir until the sauce becomes silky and smooth. Let it gently simmer so the flavors can meld.
6. Season To Taste
Add your seasoningsâI like salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. Taste and adjust!
7. Bring It All Together
Add your cooked pasta, a splash of pasta water, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan. Stir until everything is coated in that dreamy sauce.
Toss in some fresh chopped basil, and let it cook for another minute or two.
8. Top & Serve
Plate it up, sprinkle on more Parm and fresh basil, and dig in. Add cooked shrimp or scallops on top if you want to channel a fancy restaurant dish. đŚ
đ˝ď¸ Pro Tips & Variations
- Want it spicier? Add more chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Need it dairy-free? Sub in coconut cream and a dairy-free cheese.
- Make it protein-packed: Add grilled chicken, sautĂŠed shrimp, or even Italian sausage.
- No vodka? Use a splash of white wine or skip it entirelyâitâll still be delish.
đ§ Storage & Reheating
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Gently warm in a saucepan with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
đ This pasta actually tastes even better the next day. Hello, lunch upgrade!
đ Final Thoughts
This Tomato Basil Vodka Sauce Pasta is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is secretly foolproof. The depth of flavor, the creamy tomato goodness, the cozy vibesâwhatâs not to love?
Whether you’re impressing guests or just treating yourself (as you should!), this recipe is a winner every time. â¤ď¸