Spicy Pasta alla Vodka
We eat a lot of pasta, though we rarely eat the same dish more than once a month. When it comes to pasta, you could make a new pasta dish every day for a year and never duplicate there are so many options. I do not have a favorite pasta dish although I must say I enjoy a well prepared lasagna. I am happy to eat any type of pasta however, especially those with some added spice to the sauce.
My husband and I both love nduja, so I am always trying to find new ways to add it to my recipes. If you are not familiar with nduja, it is a spicy, spreadable pork salumi from Calabria, Italy. It is typically made with parts of the pig such as the shoulder and belly, as well as tripe, roasted peppers and a mixture of spices.
Nduja, although spicy, doesn’t have too much heat, so even my grandkids enjoy it. I add it on my pizza, spread on bruschetta, and I like to add it to some of my pasta recipes. This pasta recipe is one I made a few times in Italy before we left, and I never managed to get photos of the completed dish, so I made it for my husband and grandson this past week and they both really enjoyed it
This pasta dish is full of flavor and has just a hint of heat because the nduja is tempered by the tomato sauce as well as the heavy cream. I used a fresh garganelli pasta shape for my pasta dish, but any short pasta would work just as well.
Buon Appetito!
Deborah Mele
Pasta alla Vodka With A Bite
A full flavored pasta recipe with just enough heat.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Pasta (See Notes Above)
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Onion
- 3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
- 4 Ounces Nduja
- 3/4 Cup Vodka
- 1 (28 Ounce) Can Crushed Tomatoes
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/3 Cup Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese Plus Extra For Serving.
- 1/3 Cup Finely Chopped Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Add the oil to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Once it is hot, add the onion and cook for about 4 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute or two until fragrant.
- Add the nduja and stir until it melts into the oil.
- Add the vodka, and cook until it is reduced by half.
- Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil while the sauce is simmering.
- Add the pasta and cook until it is "al dente".
- Stir the cream and parsley into the sauce, and keep sauce warm.
- Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot.
- Add half the sauce and the cheese to the pasta, and toss until mixed.
- Serve the pasta in individual bowls with a scoop of sauce on top.
- Serve, passing the extra cheese around at the table for those who want it.
Notes
Adapted from Smoky Pasta Alla Vodka from Food52
Recommended Products
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-
'Nduja Spicy Spreadable Salami - 6 oz -
Calabrian Nduja Sauce by Tutto Calabria (6.3 ounce) -
Carmelina San Marzano Italian Chopped Tomatoes in Puree, 28 ounce (Pack of 6) -
Garganelli – Rustichella Pasta Abruzzese -
Cuisinart 77-412 Chef's Classic Stainless 4-Piece 12-Quart Pasta/Steamer Set -
Sweese 1309 Porcelain Salad/Pasta Bowls - 22 Ounce - Set of 6, White
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 1/2 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 159mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g
