Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka

4 steps

serves 5 people

Updated at: Sat, 17 Aug 2024 10:26:15 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories884.5 kcal (44%)

Total Fat52.2 g (75%)

Carbs79.3 g (30%)

Sugars8.8 g (10%)

Protein18.7 g (37%)

Sodium705.9 mg (35%)

Fiber5.3 g (19%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

5 servings

¼ cupextra virgin olive oil

1onion

finely chopped

4 clovesgarlic

finely chopped

1 teaspoondried oregano

1 teaspoonscrushed red pepper flakes

½ cuptomato paste

¼ cupvodka

¾ cupbasil pesto

homemade or store-bought

kosher salt

black pepper

1 cupheavy cream

or canned coconut milk

450gshort cut pasta

3 tablespoonssalted butter

⅓ cupgrated Parmesan cheese

plus more for serving

¼ cupfresh basil

roughly chopped

Instructions

Step 1

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallot, garlic, and oregano. Cook until the shallots begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, cook 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the vodka, cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the pesto and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.

Step 2

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain.

Step 3

3. To the vodka sauce, add the pasta, 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, and the butter, tossing until the butter has melted. Add the parmesan and basil. If needed, thin the sauce with additional pasta cooking water.

Step 4

4. Divide the pasta among plates and top with basil and cheese. Enjoy!