GIADA’S PASTA ALLA VODKA

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Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins | Serves: 6 people

Enjoy a fancy dinner at home with this delicious Pasta Alla Vodka. It’s super easy to make and great for entertaining. And the wonderful velvety and luxurious texture of this pasta is very impressive!

INGREDIENTS

1 c. vodka
2/3 c. heavy cream, at room temperature
1 quart Simple Tomato Sauce recipe follows, or store-bought marinara sauce, blended until smooth
1 lb short pasta, such as penne, rigatoni or Paccheri
1/2 c. grated Parmesan

Simple Tomato Sauce:

1 small onion chopped
1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
2 dried bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 32-oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 carrot, chopped
4 to 6 basil leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp unsalted butter optional
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS :

Step 1: In a heavy large skillet, simmer the tomato sauce and vodka over low heat for about 20 minutes or until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring occasionally. Then, whisk in the cream. Let everything simmer until the sauce is heated through. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir well until melted and incorporated.

Step 2: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain when done and toss into the sauce.

Step 3: To make the simple tomato sauce, heat the oil in a large casserole pot over medium-high heat. Then, add the onion and garlic. Cook for about 2 minutes until soft and translucent. Next, add the celery and carrots and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the veggies have softened. Now, add the tomatoes along with the basil and bay leaves. Adjust the heat to low and put the lid on. Simmer the sauce for an hour until thick. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Adjust the seasoning according to taste. You can add unsalted butter (1 tbsp at a time) if the sauce ends up too acidic.

Step 4: Into the bowl of a food processor, pour half of the tomato sauce. Blend until smooth and continue with the rest of the tomato sauce. You can keep half of the sauce in plastic freezer bags if not using all the sauce. Make sure to cool the sauce completely. Store the sauce in the freezer for up to 6 months.

NUTRITION FACTS: