Pesto Pasta with Vodka is a delightful dish that combines rich flavors, creamy textures, and the freshness of basil. It is perfect for a cozy night when you crave something comforting yet simple to prepare. This recipe brings together easy ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a go-to option for a delicious meal any day of the week.

Why You’ll Love Making This Pesto Pasta with Vodka

Making Pesto Pasta with Vodka is a joy. It brings together the earthiness of pesto, the richness of vodka sauce, and the satisfying bite of pasta. This dish is not only easy to make, but it also impresses anyone you serve it to. It delivers a big flavor without needing hours in the kitchen. Plus, you can enjoy it any night of the week.

The best part? You can whip it up in about thirty minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you have friends over. This pasta dish warms your soul and fills your belly, providing comfort in every bite. Whether you are a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, you’ll feel accomplished when you serve this meal.

Ingredients You Will Need:

To make this amazing dish, gather the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
• 1 pound short cut pasta
• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

These ingredients are simple and easy to find. Many are pantry staples, while others can be quickly picked up at the store.

How to Make Pesto Pasta with Vodka (3 Steps & Timing)

Making this dish is very straightforward. Here’s how you can do it in just three simple steps.

Step 1: Create the Sauce

Start by heating a large skillet over medium-low heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the finely chopped shallot, garlic, and oregano. Cook these ingredients until the shallots start to caramelize, which takes about 5 minutes.

Once the shallots are ready, lower the heat. Add the tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook this mixture for another 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens up nicely. After that, stir in the vodka and cook for another 2 minutes. Now stir in the basil pesto and cream, seasoning everything with a bit of kosher salt and black pepper. Keep the sauce warm on low heat.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

While the sauce is warming, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Just before draining the pasta, remember to scoop out 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta well.

Step 3: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Back to the skillet, add the drained pasta to the vodka sauce. Pour in 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water and the salted butter. Toss everything together until the butter melts and the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. If the sauce looks too thick, thin it out with a bit more of the reserved pasta cooking water.

Now, it’s time to serve! Divide the pasta among plates. Top each serving with extra basil and cheese, and enjoy!

Quick Sides & Serving Ideas

Pesto Pasta with Vodka is filling on its own, but you can enhance the meal with a few simple sides. A crisp, green salad pairs wonderfully with this dish. You can toss together mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette for a refreshing complement to the richness of the pasta.

Garlic bread is another tasty side. Toast or bake your favorite bread, butter it, and sprinkle it with garlic and herbs for a perfect dip into the pasta sauce.

Serving Tip

Serve this dish with extra grated Parmesan on the side. Let everyone sprinkle as much cheese as they like. Freshly cracked black pepper also adds a nice touch.

Storage & Reheat (No Soggy Leftovers)

To store leftovers, let the pasta cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. This dish will keep in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, add a splash of water or cream to the pasta before warming it in the microwave or on the stove. This helps prevent it from drying out and ensures your dinner tastes fresh.

Avoid freezing leftover Pesto Pasta with Vodka if possible. Creamy sauces can separate when thawed and might not deliver the same creamy texture as freshly made pasta.

10-Minute Prep & Time-Saving Shortcuts

If you’re really short on time, here are some tips to get this meal on the table faster.

• Chopping shortcuts: Pre-chopped shallots and minced garlic can save time. Many grocery stores offer these in fresh or frozen sections, letting you skip this step.
• Pasta choice: Short cut pasta like penne or rigatoni cooks quickly. Consider using fresh pasta to save time as well.
• Store-bought pesto: Using store-bought basil pesto can save time. Just make sure to pick a quality brand to keep the flavors vibrant.

Prepping ingredients ahead of time can also save you time. You can chop your shallots and garlic the night before or even earlier in the week.

Smart Swaps & Variations

This recipe is very flexible. You can make various swaps depending on your preference or dietary needs.

• Pasta Types: Feel free to swap the short cut pasta for any pasta you prefer. Long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine works well too.
• Cream Alternatives: For a lighter version, you can replace heavy cream with whole milk. Canned coconut milk is a great dairy-free option.
• Cheese Options: If you don’t have Parmesan on hand, try pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast for a vegan alternative.
• Spice Level: Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to suit your heat preference. If you like it hot, add more; if not, skip it altogether.

For more recipe ideas check our full Recipes Category: Lazy Meal Prep Recipes

Pesto Pasta with Vodka

A delightful dish that combines rich flavors, creamy textures, and the freshness of basil, perfect for a cozy night.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 700 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Sauce

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 piece shallot, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup basil pesto, homemade or store-bought
• 1 to taste Kosher salt
• 1 to taste black pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped

For the Pasta

• 1 pound short cut pasta

Instructions

 

Create the Sauce

• Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the olive oil.
• Add the finely chopped shallot, garlic, and oregano, cooking until shallots caramelize (about 5 minutes).
• Lower the heat and stir in the tomato paste and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the vodka and cook for another 2 minutes, then stir in the basil pesto and cream, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Keep the sauce warm on low heat.

Cook the Pasta

• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil.
• Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• Before draining, scoop out 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

Combine Pasta and Sauce

• Add the drained pasta to the vodka sauce in the skillet.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of reserved pasta cooking water and the salted butter, tossing to combine until the butter melts.
• Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, adding more cooking water if the sauce is too thick.
• Serve the pasta on plates, topped with extra basil and cheese.

Notes

Serve with extra grated Parmesan on the side. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of water or cream to prevent drying out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 700kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 16gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Keyword easy dinner, Pasta, Pesto, quick meal, Vodka

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