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    Home » Dinner

    Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

    Published: Sep 9, 2021 Updated: Sep 9, 2021 by Alison Hope · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

    This spicy vodka rigatoni is rich and creamy and loaded with flavor. It’s so easy to make and tastes like one of the best pasta sauces you’ve ever tasted. Ready in 20 minutes or less!

    Spicy vodka rigatoni in black bowls.

    When you want a quick and easy meal that also tastes incredible then this spicy vodka rigatoni is exactly what you’re looking for.

    It’s made with a creamy and spicy vodka sauce, parmesan cheese and fresh basil for a restaurant-worthy meal that comes together in 20 minutes or less.

    And if you love quick and easy pasta recipes then check out our hummus pasta, alfredo pasta and penne pomodoro as well.

    What Goes Into Spicy Rigatoni Alla Vodka

    Photo of the ingredients needed to make spicy vodka rigatoni.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Rigatoni pasta – can be switched for penne or any other pasta that you have on hand. Rigatoni is very similar to penne, it’s just a little larger.
    • Red pepper flakes – add a little heat to this vodka sauce. Feel free to use more if you want it extra spicy.
    • Parmesan – should be freshly grated.
    • Vodka – enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. You can use any brand. It cooks off so you don’t need to worry about anyone getting tipsy after eating this sauce.
    Vodka rigatoni in a black bowl.

    How To Make Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

    Full instructions and measurements can always be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.

    • Put the rigatoni on to cook according to package instructions. When cooked, drain and rinse and set aside.
    • Add olive oil, chopped onions and crushed garlic to a pot on medium heat and sauté until the onions are softened.
    Two photo collage showing onions, garlic and olive oil in a pot and sautéed.
    • Add tomato paste and red pepper flakes and sauté with the onions and garlic for a minute.
    Two photo collage showing tomato paste and red pepper flakes added to pot and sautéed.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, vodka, salt, black pepper and light brown sugar and mix in.
    • Cover and bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens.
    Two photo collage showing crushed tomatoes, vodka, sea salt, black pepper and brown sugar added to pot and mixed in.
    • Add freshly grated parmesan, heavy cream and fresh chopped basil and stir in.
    Two photo collage showing heavy cream, parmesan and fresh chopped basil added to pot and mixed in.
    • Add the cooked rigatoni pasta and fold into the sauce.
    Two photo collage showing rigatoni added to sauce and folded in.
    • Serve topped with fresh chopped basil and ground black pepper.
    Rigatoni alla vodka in a black bowl.

    Recipe FAQ

    Can you make this vodka pasta gluten-free?

    If you serve this with gluten-free pasta then you are good to go! The sauce is already gluten-free.

    Can you omit the vodka?

    You can omit the vodka if you want to. Simply leave it out of the recipe.

    How do you store it?

    Keep leftovers stored in the fridge in a covered container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

    Can you freeze it?

    It’s not ideal for freezing.

    Forkful of spicy rigatoni alla vodka.

    More Easy Pasta Recipes

    1. Mushroom Pasta
    2. Vegetarian Stroganoff
    3. Red Curry Pasta
    4. Asparagus Pasta
    5. Penne Pomodoro
    6. Al Pesto Pasta

    Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below.

    Rigatoni alla vodka in a black bowl.

    Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

    This spicy vodka rigatoni is rich and creamy and loaded with flavor. It's so easy to make and tastes like one of the best pasta sauces you've ever tasted. Ready in 20 minutes or less!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Pasta, Pasta Sauce
    Cuisine: Italian
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 567kcal
    Author: Alison

    Ingredients

    For the Pasta:

    • 16 ounces Rigatoni Pasta (Dry Weight)

    For the Vodka Sauce:

    • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
    • 1 Medium Onion White, Yellow or Brown, Chopped
    • 4 Cloves Garlic Crushed
    • 2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
    • ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
    • 3 cups Crushed Tomatoes
    • ⅓ cup Vodka
    • ½ tsp Sea Salt
    • ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
    • 1 Tbsp Light Brown Sugar
    • ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly Grated
    • 1 cup Heavy Cream
    • ¼ cup Fresh Basil Chopped

    Serving:

    • Fresh Basil Chopped
    • Ground Black Pepper
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Put the rigatoni on to cook according to package instructions. When cooked, drain and rinse and set aside.
    • Add olive oil, chopped onions and crushed garlic to a pot on medium heat and sauté until the onions are softened.
    • Add tomato paste and red pepper flakes and sauté with the onions and garlic for a minute.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, vodka, salt, black pepper and light brown sugar and mix in.
    • Cover and bring to a simmer. Then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens.
    • Add freshly grated parmesan, heavy cream and fresh chopped basil and stir in.
    • Add the cooked rigatoni pasta and fold into the sauce.
    • Serve topped with fresh chopped basil and ground black pepper.

    Notes

    1. Vodka: You can use any brand of vodka. It cooks off so you don’t need to worry about anyone getting tipsy after eating this sauce. If you avoid alcohol you can simply omit it from this recipe.
    2. Make it gluten-free: If you serve this with gluten-free pasta then you are good to go! The sauce is already gluten-free.
    3. Storing and Freezing: Keep leftovers stored in the fridge in a covered container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave. It’s not ideal for freezing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serve | Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 654mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1036IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 3mg
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below, or tag @gimmethatflavor on Instagram and hashtag it #gimmethatflavor
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    About Alison Hope

    Hi I'm Alison, I'm the voice and cook behind Gimme That Flavor. I am a big time foodie and probably cooking up a storm in my kitchen right now! I'm also a cat mom. And a sweet tooth. Binge watcher of TV shows. Terrible sleeper always staying up too late....Find out more about me here.

    Gimme That Flavor is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Gimme That Flavor will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost to you.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. KC

      October 11, 2022 at 4:13 am

      Very yummy! I have made twice now and believe it needs a little more salt. I don’t typically like salty things but a little more salt in this would have brought out the flavors of everything else and made them POP. Ty for delicious recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Alison Hope

        October 11, 2022 at 8:49 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! Definitely ALWAYS add salt to taste. 🙂 Thanks for the awesome review!

        Reply

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    Alison Hope Author

    Hi! I'm Alison! Big time foodie. I'm probably cooking up a storm in my kitchen right now. I'm also a cat mom. And a sweet tooth. Binge watcher of TV shows. Terrible sleeper always staying up too late.... 

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