Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or hot), casings removed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup vodka
1 cup crushed tomatoes
3/4-1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess grease if needed.
Build the base: Add onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Tomato paste & vodka: Add tomato paste and cook until brick-red, about 2 minutes. Pour in vodka and simmer until reduced by half.
Creamy sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes and cream. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Combine: Add cooked rigatoni and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Finish: Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.
Notes
Cooking Tips
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Let the vodka reduce fully to cook off the alcohol and deepen flavor.
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Use bronze-cut rigatoni for better sauce cling.
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Don’t rush the tomato paste step—this adds major depth.
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Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Variations
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Spicy Vodka Rigatoni: Use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.
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Chicken Vodka Pasta: Swap sausage for browned chicken thighs or breast.
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Vegetarian: Use sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage.
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Extra Creamy: Add an extra ¼ cup cream and a knob of butter at the end.
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Baked Version: Transfer to a baking dish, top with mozzarella, and broil until bubbly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g