Pasta Journey: Vodka Rigatoni

 

This was the one pasta I learned during 2020 quarantine. It was a recommendation from my boss and it does not disappoint. This was a hit for the whole family. A creamy tomato sauce—and I love the color. 

I like rigatoni for these because it can really get the sauce in each tube. In fact, rigatoni became my default shape for any sauce because of that. It works with everything.

3 tbsp. butter

1 shallot, minced

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1/2 cup tomato paste

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 tbsp. vodka

1 lb. rigatoni

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Melt the butter, sauté the shallot and garlic. Add the tomato paste and red pepper and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the vodka. Add the cream, parmesan and 1/4 cup of the pasta water. Salt and pepper to taste and add more pasta water if necessary. Serve with extra Parmesan.