Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka.
This silky, smooth and extra creamy Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka is the perfect cozy winter recipe we need most. Fresh pasta tossed in a spicy tomato pesto vodka sauce that’s creamy and so delicious! The secret to this one-pot pasta? Basil pesto and plenty of cheese on top. The pesto adds a vibrant layer of flavor and richness to this silky, smooth, and creamy pasta. Serve this 30-minute dinner up any night of the week. It’s delicious and looks pretty on any table…not to mention that everyone LOVES a GOOD creamy vodka pasta. This dish will be your new go-to when serving family and friends over the holidays.
We’ve made it to Thursday, and this week, that means creamy spicy pesto pasta alla vodka for dinner. Like clockwork every December I begin thinking about my family’s favorite vodka pasta. I have made so many versions over the years, but this recipe is my favorite. It’s more classic, but with the small twist of basil pesto, which of course only makes this vodka pasta that much more delicious.
I don’t know what it is about December days, but they always leave me craving some form of pasta in red sauce. I have to say, this pasta alla vodka feels like the most fitting December recipe. Not only for its simplicity and deliciousness, but the pretty red and green colors feel extra festive. Perfect for this time of year.
I know, I know, there she goes again with all the holiday talk. But I’m really grabbing onto anything and everything that adds even just a little holiday happiness into the world this year! And pasta always makes everything better. Especially a creamy vodka pasta.
So what does the vodka actually do?
The vodka adds a sharp bite that helps to balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes. When used in small amounts, the vodka will boost and intensify the aroma of the sauce. The key is to slowly simmer vodka into the sauce. This will release its flavors and cook out the alcohol.
If you prefer to not cook with alcohol, swap the vodka for chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even just water. That will be totally fine and your sauce will still be great.
All the spicy details…
This pasta is simple. I didn’t go over the top with it but instead wanted to really focus on the traditional flavors of a great vodka pasta…garlic, tomatoes, and cream. The key is to slowly cook the garlic in oil. I learned this trick when I first started cooking from a friend of our family’s, Mrs. Mooney, as I called her, and actually still call her to this day.
She’d make this dish simply called penne pasta. It was always a favorite. Thinking back on it, it’s actually really similar to an alla vodka style pasta sauce.
Mrs. Mooney taught me to slowly caramelize garlic in olive oil to really infuse flavor into a recipe, especially within an Italian-style red sauce. So, don’t skip this step! Once the garlic is extra fragrant and turns golden, I like to stir in the tomato paste and chili flakes. Then cook those for a bit to really help intensify the flavors in the sauce.
Once that’s cooked for a bit, stir in lots of cream. Then let the sauce simmer while you boil the pasta.
For the pasta, I just used short cut rigatoni (to be honest, it’s really the best kind of short cut pasta I can find in my area). But use any short cut pasta you love or have on hand.
You’ll want to first boil off the pasta, then just before draining reserve some of the pasta cooking water. This step is so important, so be sure to not dump the water before reserving a cup. The pasta water is used to finish the creamy vodka sauce.
Now add in some of the pasta cooking water and simmer the sauce until it has reduced down a bit and thickened. At this point, your kitchen is going to smell amazing. There should be hints of garlic and butter throughout…it’s the best of Italian scents.
Once the pasta is cooked, toss it with the sauce and that pasta water. Add some butter and toss until the sauce is very creamy. Stir in the parmesan and basil. Immediately the heat from the pasta intensifies the smell of the basil…leaving you with nothing but excitement for dinner.
And trust me, you should be excited. Every bowl of pasta is creamy, just oh so slightly spicy, with a subtle pesto touch, and just the right amount of butter and cheese.
It’s is so very good. Roll your eyes back, go for that second bowl, and finish the pasta all in one sitting, GOOD. Dramatic, but true.
Perfect dinner to serve up this holiday season, even if it’s just the two of you this year! The leftovers are just as delicious! You can prepare the dish in advance, keep it fully assembled in the fridge, and then bake before serving. I love dishes like this for holiday entertaining…they make life so easy!
You can even prepare the sauce way ahead of time, then just add the pasta before you’re ready to serve. This would make a great dinner party meal with a side salad and some bread. Usually, I keep it simple with my 5 Ingredient Beer Bread or Salted Butter Parker House Rolls. But when the whole family is in town for December, I’ll bake this Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath. Either way (or day) you serve this pasta up, it’s going to be good. It’s one of those pasta dishes that’s easily loved by all.
Looking for other simple winter pasta dishes? Here are my favorites:
4 Cheese Sage Pesto Florentine Lasagna
One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka
30 mins, one-pot...this silky smooth, extra creamy pasta is the perfect cozy winter recipe for serving up to friends and family!
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
Instructions
-
1. Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the oil shimmers, add the shallot, garlic, and oregano. Cook until the shallots begin to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes, cook 4-5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the vodka, cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the pesto and cream. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 1/2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain.
3. To the vodka sauce, add the pasta, 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, and the butter, tossing until the butter has melted. Add the parmesan and basil. If needed, thin the sauce with additional pasta cooking water.
4. Divide the pasta among plates and top with basil and cheese. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
To Replace the Vodka: use an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth.
To Make Ahead: prepare the alla vodka sauce through step 1. The sauce can be made 4 days ahead of time and chilled in the fridge. To serve, warm on the stove, follow the directions through step 2.
To Freeze: the alla vodka sauce can be made, then frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw, then use as directed.
Our Favorite Recipes
Creamy Coconut Hot Chocolate.
Would this work with another pasta shape? I’m trying to use up what I have before moving soon. I have fusilli, rotini and spaghetti
Hey Lora,
Use whatever pasta shape you like:) I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Another yummy pasta recipe. I have everything but the vodka. A trip to the store is in order.
I hope you love this recipe, Joyce!! Thank you! xTieghan
Wow this look so tasty.
Best Regards
Luisa https://littlefork.de/
Thank you so much Luisa! xTieghan
Had this tonight and it is definitely a keeper recipe. Delicious and easy and the whole house smelled of anticipation of a honey dinner.
Thank you so much Vicki! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Such a delicious dinner. The aroma filled the kitchen with the anticipation of a wonderful, homey delight! Will make this again. A keeper recipe!
Thank you so much Vicki! I am really happy you loved this one! xTieghan
Will this work with Half and Half? I have that in the house now, but not heavy cream 😉
Hey Susi,
Yes, that will work! I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
AMAZING! My pickiest eater ate 2 giant helpings, and asked me why I hadn’t made this before. 🙂
The basil flavor was just a little too strong for most of my family, so I’ll cut the fresh basil the next time I make this (or just keep it on the side), but there will definitely be a next time for this recipe! However, if you love basil, this is perfect. Made it with rotini and it worked great.
Also cooked up some Italian sausage from a local butcher in the oven, and added slices of that after the pasta and sauce was all mixed together. Would be great with grilled chicken as well, but is definitely still fabulous as a stand alone dish.
Wow that is so amazing to hear! I am really glad you all enjoyed this one, Laura! Thank you for trying it!! xTieghan
Just made this and have NO leftovers. This was superb and made it exactly as written. (Only good thing about 2020 is that we always have a bottle of Grey Goose on hand.) Served it with a side of sauteed greens and it was fabulous.
12 out of 10 recommend.
Thanks so much for this.
Thank you Harley!! I am so happy this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made this tonight and added spicy Italian chicken sausage since I had it on hand. Such an amazing combination of the vodka sauce and basil pesto flavors! My family soaked up every drop of the sauce with some nice crusty bread from a local bakery. This is definitely being added into the rotation!!!
Thank you so much Julia! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
Silky smooth is exactly right. I was surprised at how creamy the sauce was while I was tasting it as the noodles boiled… what? I could help it. I only had a squeeze tube of basil and used that as both pesto and fresh basil subs. Also only had macaroni noodles. Turned out delish. If boyfriend had been over, I would have stirred in some diced chicken breasts for him. HBH never disappoints with ease and quality of recipes.
Hi Jordan! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Looks amazing! What can I substitute for shallots?
Hey Angie,
You can skip the shallots:) I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Yum! Just made vodka sauce last night from a recipe on delish.com. Yours looks even better – the same base, but more vodka, add some butter and oooohhh – pesto! Can’t wait for round 2. Never enough pasta alla vodka!
Thank you so much Gretchen! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
So excited to make this tonight!!! Loved watching you make this in your IG stories 🙂 thank you for all your hard work!
Thank you! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi T! Can you also add a “to make with meat (beef, turkey or sausage) note? Thanks!
Hey Tori,
Just add your fave cooked meat:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This stuff is delicious! I was out of plain oregano, so I subbed Italian seasoning (which is oregano plus several other spices), and I cut the amount of red pepper flakes in half so my kids would eat it. My favorite “alla vodka” dish comes from a local Italian restaurant here in Charlotte and I have to say this was nearly as good as theirs! I think next time I will add some chicken, just to make it heartier, but this recipe is definitely something I’ll be making again.
Thank you so much for trying this one, Mary! I am really glad it turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Looks delicious!! Where can I find your recipe for pesto sauce??
Hey Kathy,
Here is a pesto recipe: https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/antipasto-skewers-with-kale-pesto/
I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious my kids love it 😍
Thank You for sharing this recipe
Thank you! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Is there a good substitute for cream that is dairy free? (lactose intolerant fam members) Excited to make this! 🙂
Hey Jo,
You can use canned coconut milk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this tonight- it was perfect. And came together so quickly!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Caitlin! xTieghan
I made this yesterday with a few additions….I browned two mild Italian sausages in evoo and broke it up to small pieces. I also added some whole fennel seed (@ 1 tsp) to the tomato paste mixture. I was out of heavy cream – but half and half worked just fine (with fewer calories). THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!!!!!!! Company worthy, comfort food worthy – and easy to halve the recipe (as I did) for a dinner for two.PS – I used rigatoni pasta. Thanks Tieghan…I am not usually a pesto fan – but this dish is perfection.
Thank you so much Kris! I am really happy this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
You’re recipes never disappoint! Added 1/2 lb of Italian sausage for my husband. It’s another keeper from HBH!
I am really happy you have been loving my recipes, Kate! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Made this deliciousness this evening for our dinner. It was a hit! I subbed in half and half because I didn’t have any heavy cream on hand. I’ve never made homemade vodka sauce before but your recipe was seamless..thanks! 😊
Thank you so much Karen! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This was so easy and so delicious. Perfect for tonight’s snowy evening in!
I am so happy you enjoyed this! Thank you! xTieghan
This recipe was amazing!! It definitely tasted like a high quality restaurant dish!! We’ll be adding this pasta to our monthly rotation!!
Love that! Thank you so much for trying this one, Rebecca! xTieghan
This was SO SO delicious! And So easy. Such a unique flavor with the pesto and creamy vodka sauce. Definitely something to make for a dinner party or holiday!
Yes! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Liz! xTieghan
So many flavors to this one pot dish!! Definitely a new favorite recipe! I made meatballs as a side and it paired perfectly with the spicy sauce.
That is so amazing to hear! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
NEW FAV!!!
I love that I don’t have to simmer it all day!!
Thank you!!
Thank you so much Brandy! xTieghan
Way too much pesto. Needs more tomato
Sorry about that Nicole! Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
This was excellent! I’d never made a vodka based sauce before, but have been curious. We were not disappointed. Will definitely be adding this one to the recipe box to make again.
Thank you so much Beth! I am so happy to hear that! xTieghan
Wow, followed the full recipe and it was delicious! Best pasta I made so far and my husband was “wow’d”. Will be making this dish again.
Thank you Farah! xTieghan
My family loved this recipe! So much, that they asked for it to be added into the rotation. Used 2% milk, as we didn’t have any cream, and turned out great.
Thank you so much Marti! xTieghan
Amazing depth and flavor to this recipe. My husband gave it a “10.” It came together easily with pantry staples. I added some crumbled Italian sausage at the end for more protein. It was my first time using coconut milk in an Italian dish, but it was next level! The only downside was that there was not enough sauce for the leftovers as we are a family of two and couldn’t devour it all in one sitting. Will make it a bit more ‘saucy’ next time.
That is so amazing to hear! Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Sharon! xTieghan
My husband said it was the best pasta that I have ever made!
Thank you so much Renee! xTieghan
No shallot in the house – do you recommend onion and/or garlic or omit altogether? Thanks!
Hey Sarah,
You can use onion:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan….just made this for dinner..sooo delicious! Will be bringing leftovers to my daughter’s tomorrow. We are huge fans! My favorite way to start Sunday morning is by reading your Nine Favorite Things post with a cup of coffee in best!! Thanks for doing what you do and inspiring many of us ! Merry Christmas.
Best,
Deb
Thank you Deb! I am really glad this recipe has been turning out so well for you! xTieghan
This is soooo good! I tried this because my husband likes spicy recipes. It was so easy and delicious.
My all-time favorite pasta recipe is your Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta. I never thought another recipe would come close to competing with that one, but this one is coming very close!
Thank you for providing delicious and simple recipes. I have both of your cookbooks and look forward to many more wonderful recipes to be able to share with my family.
Thank you so much Genda! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is AMAZING!!! Only truly winning recipes get printed in my kitchen. This is one for sure! Quick, easy, pantry ingredients, but so delicious.
Thank you Kallyn! xTieghan
One of my favorites so far!! I did half the red pepper flakes because I didn’t want so much spice. It was just perfect. Highly recommended, will definitely make again!
Thank you so much Katie! xTieghan
Made this the day you posted it. Doubled the recipe because I had a good feeling about it….and my family has loved every recipe of yours that I make! I’ve eaten it 3 times since then! I even had some of the leftover sauce as a dip with pretzel chips today and would never have known it wasn’t made to be a dip! This recipe gets better each day!
Thank you so much Stephanie! xTieghan
Made this tonight & added shrimp. Used less of the pasta water as advised since we like a thicker sauce. This had all the flavors. SO tasty!
Thank you Meredith! xTieghan
Wow, delicious and so easy! This will be a regularly occurring meal.
Thank you so much Charlyn! xTieghan
Delicious!! Best vodka sauce I’ve ever made by far, and maybe even the best pasta in general! Easy to make and so so good.
Thank you so much Lyndee! xTieghan
Made this last night and everyone loved it! Super tasty. 🙂
Thank you Lisa! xTieghan
This pasta was so delicious! I slightly reduced the amount of pasta and added some grilled chicken. This recipe will definitely be on repeat!
Thank you Lila! xTieghan
My friends and I are in Colorado for the week hoping up at a ski cabin and I knew that we had to make a bunch of HBH recipes to honor your state. 🙂 Just made this last night and everyone raved about how amazing it was. We added chicken and shrimp, sautéed separately in lots of good butter because we can, lol. The addition of pesto totally turns this into a super special meal. Thanks so much for the recipe!!
Hi Lauren! Yes I love that! I am glad you all enjoyed this recipe, Lauren! Thank you, enjoy your week! xTieghan
⬆️ *holing up, not hoping up!
We really liked this recipe, but had an issue reheating the leftovers. The oil/butter from the sauce left the leftovers quite oily. Any tips to help prevent this in the future?
Hey Alisha,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try! When reheating leftovers I would recommend skimming the oil off the top of the sauce before heating. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was SERIOUSLY delicious. I had ordered penne a la vodka from a few different Italian restaurants in the area and was so disappointed by all of them. But this recipe satisfied my craving for a delicious vodka sauce. I left out the red pepper flakes and I added crumbled cooked Italian sausage and diced tomatoes (at the same time as the pesto & cream). I will say it’s best enjoyed right away, it got kind of oily after microwaving the leftovers. Big fan of all HBH recipes 🙂
I am so happy to hear that, Alex! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Made this with my daughter over the weekend – it was really good! We doubled the crushed red pepper for more spice and used coconut milk. It was delicious! Everyone loved it!
Love that! Thank you so much Tara! xTieghan
First things first. I LOVE YOUR SITE! Amazing photography and great recipes ideas
I just made the vodka sauce. It didn’t seem to have an abundance of flavor. Any suggestions?
Hey Mark,
So sorry you did not enjoy the sauce. Did you leave anything out? Let me know how I can help. xTieghan
So so good! Husband immediately said this recipe is a keeper! We used evaporated milk instead of cream because I had some left over that I wanted to use up and it worked perfectly and we used some random pasta shape we had on hand. Definitely recommend!
I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you, Kim! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
I just made this for dinner and OH. MY. GOODNESS. It’s freakin’ DELICIOUS. This is my first Half Baked Harvest recipe I’ve tried and I don’t think I could’ve picked a better one to start with! This dish was incredible easy to follow and turned out so well! I didn’t have any oregano so I substituted that with some Italian seasoning–Still tastes great! I’m pairing it with some cheesy garlic bread (because we can never have enough garlic or cheese, right?!) and a Moscow Mule. Thank you so much for this recipe!! I can’t wait to make this again for friends!!!!
YES! I am so happy this recipe turned out so amazing for you, Caitlin! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
SO delish and super easy. Will be making again for sure!
Thank you so much Taylor! xTieghan
I made this tonight and honestly came together so easy and it was delicious! Can’t wait to make it again!
Thank you so much Becca! xTieghan
So GOOD. I had a sun-dried tomato pesto only and it turned out amazing. Love the simplicity but also the very good ingredients and taste of this. Thank you!
Thank you Liz! xTieghan
I made this tonight and it was delicious. I’ve made pasta alla vodka before and it was VERY bland – basically just tomato sauce and booze. But your recipe is anything but bland. It was a perfect blend of tomato/cream/cheese/pesto with just enough warmth. We used coconut milk as my daughter is lactose intolerant. Everyone loved it. I’ll definitely make it again!
Thank you so much Victoria!! xTieghan
Easy and absolutely delicious. I used 1 1/2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes. If you don’t like spicy food then you may want to dial down on that. We felt like we were at a highly regarded Italian restaurant while eating this dish, yet I made it myself. I love going to wonderful restaurants and right now we can’t so this was awesome. Again so easy to make, TRY IT!
Hi Renee! I am really glad this recipe turned out so amazing for you!! Thank you so much for trying this one! xTieghan
Delicious! My whole family LOVED it. It has amazing flavor and creaminess. I made it with half and half and homemade pesto, just immaculate. Will be making again soon. HBH recipes are becoming my families favorites!
Thank you so much Michelle!! xTieghan
Tried this recipe, when I added the pesto – the oil separated and I couldn’t get it to combine. My sauce was also completely off colour compared to yours. Any suggestions?
Hey Liz,
So sorry, was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Maybe the brand of pesto? I like to make my own! Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Quick and easy! Was a delicious side with oven roasted tri tip!
Thank you so much Allyson! xTieghan
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS ! I followed the recipe as directed and it is a must have ! We added some left over chicken breasts and we will definitely be looking to add that next time ! Tastes like an Italian dinner out – thank you !!
Thank you!! I am so glad this recipe turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
made this for dinner tonight and it’s DIVINE and DECADENT and DELECTABLE! thanks tieghan!
Thank you so much Lauren! xTieghan
Super easy, quick, and delicious!
Thank you Maddie! xTieghan
This might be my favorite HBH recipe! It was quick and easy to make and was so damn good! I was looking forward to the leftovers and my 20 yr old son beat me to them! Guess I need to make another batch!
Hi Lisa! I am so happy you loved this recipe! Thank you so much for trying it!! xTieghan
This pasta was amazing. The brightness of the pesto sent it over the top!
Thank you so much Lauren! I am really glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
I stumbled upon this blog recently and decided to cook through several of your recipes this week This is the second I’ve tried and my husband said it’s the best meal I’ve ever made! I have it on the rotation again for next week.
Thank you so much Lindsay! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious and easy to make!!!
Thank you so much Kelsey! xTieghan
I must have done something wrong. Mine ended up brown and was not very tasty🤔
Hey Anne,
So sorry about this, I am going to need a little more info though. Was there anything that you adjusted in the recipe? Did you use a different cooking method? Please let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Holy Moly! I just made this pasta for dinner and it was DELICIOUS! One of the best pasta dishes I have ever made!!
Thank you so much Nikki! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is such a good base to build on. I had some kale that was about to go bad so I threw it in. This sauce is so tasty I think you could add just about anything to it.
Thank you so much Dana! I am really glad this recipe turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan
Just made this tonight and it was so good and easy to make. My 9 year old daughter who usually doesn’t like sauce with her pasta ate and loved it.
Thank you so much Nicki! xTieghan
Tieghan, this dish was delicious and so easy to make. Family loved it and ate it all so no leftovers! I am really enjoying your recipes. Thank you!
Thank you Brenda! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
So delicious!! Very easy to make and the sauce is to die for 🙂
Thank you so much Jessica! xTieghan
Wow wow wow. I used to eat this at restaurants?? They don’t even compare! This is the best pasta I’ve made. The pesto, tomato paste, and cream work SO well together, on top of the garlic and basil. My boyfriend and I were licking it off the spoon before even serving! Definitely making again (this weekend… I can’t wait).
Hey Sofia,
I am SO glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Made this last night, and it was amazing! Definitely ate more than one serving and I’ll be making it again and again. I might try with a Hot Italian Sausage next time for some protein.
Yum! I am really glad this turned out so well for you, Becca! xTieghan
This recipe was amazing! Your recipes have been on heavy rotation in my house.
Thank you Heather! xTieghan
Can you use minced Garlic from the jar or is it better with fresh garlic?
Hey Lucy,
Minced garlic from the jar would be fine to use:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was delicious! We had leftovers and I ate it for lunch all week! We added chicken sausage and loved the extra flavor. Thank you!
Thank you Elizabeth! xTieghan
My girlfriend loves this pasta recipe, so I’m making it twice this week. I can’t believe she’s making me do this. I secretly love this pasta too.
Thank you so much Jack!! I am really glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
I made this tonight & it was amazing! My husband ate two bowls of it & then stood over the pan eating more after he put his dishes in the dishwasher 🤣 We added Italian chicken sausage to it for some protein. Absolutely loved this recipe, thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Kendra!! xTieghan
Wow this pasta sauce was seriously so delicious! Cheesy, creamy, and soo good!
Thank you so much Cort! xTieghan
OMG! Just made this and it was so delicious! Loved the pesto and tomato blend and just the right amount of spiciness. Will make this one again soon. Thank you for all the great recipes!
Thank you Holly! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This was amazing! I substituted yellow onion for the shallot and added Italian turkey sausage. Absolutely delicious, my boyfriend devoured it and had a hearty second portion. Directions were easy to follow. (:
Thank you Lena!! xTieghan
Absolutely incredible! This checks all the boxes for a comforting holiday meal. Thank you.
Thank you Holly! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I made this about a week ago and my husband and I were blown away! He said it was the best pasta I’ve ever made and we both agreed it was like eating from a restaurant. I cut back on the red pepper flakes because I don’t like my food very spicy and only used half the amount of basil pesto and it was perfect for me. I’m keeping this recipe around forever. I’m going to add chicken next time but it was really good without any meat. This was my first recipe I’ve made from your website and I’m going to try many more. Thank you!!
Thank you so much Abby!! I am really glad you enjoyed this recipe and I hope you continue to enjoy others!! xTieghan
This was an instant hit! So delicious we wished we had doubled it to have more leftovers 🙂
Thank you Greta! xTieghan
I made this recipe last Sunday and it was amazing! Rich and decadent and perfect with some crusty French bread.
Yum! I am glad this turned out so well for you, Kayla! xTieghan
This recipe is SO good!!! I highly recommend making it as is….perfection!!!!!!
Thank you so much Shari! xTieghan
Hi! Would you add Italian sausage uncooked at the beginning of the recipe (with the shallots) or would you prefer adding it in cooked after the sauce is complete? 🙂 thanks for the help!!!
Hey Sam,
I would cook the sausage separately and then add it at the end. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Such a delicious dish! I will be making it again.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Thank you so much Cheryl! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Oh my goodness this was delicious! I have been drooling at all of your post and finally got around to making this one. Luckily had all the ingredients at home and it was quick and soooo good. My husband also loved it.. Thank you so much!
I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Gail! Thank you so much for trying it! xTieghan
Do you think this would work well with shrimp?
Hey Emily,
I think shrimp would be great here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was phenomenal! I mean, just ridiculously good!
Hey Kellye,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Loved it! Made it for my family of 5 and they gobbled it up! Quick and easy too! Thank you! Delicious!!!
Hey Milissa,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
So yummy per usual like all Of Teagan’s recipes. I’ll be making again soon and next time will measure the crushed red pepper lol
Hey Amber,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving this a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I made this for my boyfriend and I tonight. He had a work meeting in an hour and we needed something quick. This was super easy and really good. The ingredient list is simple and we had almost everything on hand. Paired really well with arugula on the side. Thank you 😊
Hey Sally,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
We couldn’t get enough of this dish! My husband raved all though dinner. Best part is that it is simple and just tastes amazing!!
Hi Cydnee,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is so good! I highly recommend adding sautéed shrimp and sausage. The sauce is delicious …it’s a repeat meal!
Hey Lori,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
We are not huge pasta fans. This is a game changer! The complexity of flavors with a non-complex recipe. So good! Thank you!
Hey Elizabeth,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Third day in a row I cooked one of your recipes (Chicken Marsala Monday, Short Ribs Sunday) and my kitchen has never smelled better. I just did step 1 at 9AM and don’t know if I can wait until dinner this evening. Just had a taste and its incredible. I was a little lazy and used Trader Joes Pesto but was worth the convenience. Off to the butcher for some Italian sausage.
Hey there,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
So full of flavor and easy!
Hey Tyra,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious, going into the rotation!
Hey Heather,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Seriously my family craves it and has made it 1x a week since discovering it. Such an easy stove top recipe and absolutely delicious. I recommend making a trip to the market for fresh pasta or make fresh pasta at home, it makes it that much better! We love you Tieghan!!
Hey Aubrey,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed it! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this for my family tonight….it was a big hit!!! Will definitely make this again.
Hey Michelle,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was seriously amazing!! My fiancee and I loved how simple it was to make, it will definitely be a regular recipe for use now! I am Italian and grew up with my Nonna making us authentic homemade pastas, so Im pretty picky when it comes to pasta, and I will for sure be making this again!! Thanks Tieghan !!
Hey Gabby,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this last night! My 9 year old said this is her favorite meal yet and is requesting it again tonight. We paired it with Italian sausage…. absolutely delicious!!!
Hey Stephanie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Added peas and shrimp at the end, and 1 cup pasta water – otherwise followed the recipe. The whole family loved it!
Hey Corey,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Delicious!! Just made some for dinner and will definitely be making it again!
Hey Nicole,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was absolutely amazing – def would make again and it’s a great dish for guests as well
Hey there,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This will be fantastic if it’s half as good as the reviews rave it to be! Can this be used as the sauce over baked shells, or would it not do well in the oven?
Hey Cindy,
Yes, that would work well. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I don’t know how this recipe doesn’t have all 5 stars…. it’s seriously so delicious and so amazing. I’m making it for my Christmas Eve dinner tonight. It’s THAT GOOD.
Hey Charly,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Just made for Christmas Eve dinner! Sooo creamy and tasty!!!
Hey Michelle,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Best pasta I’ve ever had! Added 1 pound of ground Italian sausage. Made in advance and popped in the oven to reheat. Perfection! Thank you Tieghan!!
Hey Claire,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Made this for Christmas Eve, such a delicious pasta! X
Hey Kelly Jane,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad you enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
What kind of protein (meat/meatball) do you think would go best with this? I’m going to make this our NYE dinner.
Hey Anya,
Spicy Italian sausage would work well here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Can you make this without Pesto? Or what can you sub?
Hey Melissa,
Yes, you can omit the pesto. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Made this a little while ago… all I can say is YUM! Keeping this one on repeat! Tastes like a restaurant quality dish (and is so easy to make!)
Hey Kim,
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Thank you for the recipe it was delicious! Could I use regular coconut milk instead of canned or would it make the sauce too runny?
Hey Abbey,
That should work well. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Oh wow, so good. The pesto adds so much depth of flavor! I served this with a side of garlic bread and we were sopping up the leftover sauce with the bread.
Hey Veronica,
Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was so delicious and super easy to make…so the best kind of recipe to keep around! I didn’t have a shallot, so I used half a small onion. I used 1 tsp of red pepper flakes, and it was still pretty spicy for my taste, so if you can’t handle much spice, I’d definitely use no more than that. I think it would be delicious with some browned, ground sausage too. Thanks for a delicious recipe!
Hey Sarah,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a go, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Best recipe yet! Quick, easy, and a new family favorite. No store-bought sauces compare!
Hey Laura,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a go, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This recipe is a must-try! It was easy to make and so good – will definitely be added to the regular dinner rotation for the winter!
Hey Karrie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This turned out to be sooo delicious!! It is one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever had!
Hey Darlene,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I made this tonight for my husband and myself and we absolutely loved it!! He’s a picky eater too!! I didn’t want it too spicy so I only added 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes but it was perfect! Might only add half of teaspoon of red pepper flakes next time but overall it was amazing and felt like I was eating penne vodka from a fine Italian restaurant!! Great recipe!!
Hey Christin,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
It was our first snowy blowy night, This pasta dish helped us to feel cozy inside:) Delicious. A keeper. Will make it again. Thank you!
Hey Kirsten,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
What can I substitute the pesto for? I’m not a big pesto person but aside from that the recipe looks so good!
Hey Serena,
You can skip the pesto:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Extremely delicious!!! Just wondering though, what fat percentage heavy cream do you usually use/recommend using?
Hey Noga,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! I like organic valley cream:) Happy New Year! xTieghan
I made this for our quaranteam and it was sooo good!! It’s the best vodka sauce I’ve ever tasted!
Hey Katie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Going to make this for NYE dinner! Looks amazing, can you omit the pesto and have the same consistency of vodka sauce? thanks!
Hey Michela,
Yes, totally fine to skip the pesto. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Delicious and a great dish when your cold and need a little extra TLC. So comforting and tasty.
Hey Ginny,
Thank you so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This pasta is amazing!!! My son has declared it his new favourite, very high praise! I veganized it with vegan pesto, cashew cream and vegan parmesan. Will absolutely be making again!
Hey Sheila,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was fantastic, Tieghan! We added some Italian sausage but didn’t really need to – it was hearty enough on its own. We’ll make this again!
Hey Courtney,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Oh no – the cream curdled when I added it. Perhaps add a tip in the instructions to let it come to room temperature, or add a small amount of sauce to the cream to warm it up before adding to the pot.
Hey Tonya,
So sorry you had issues with the cream, please let me know if you need any help! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Made this tonight. Oh my goodness, SO YUMMY!!!! For sure make again good!
Hey Jennifer,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Love love love this. A super simple weeknight meal with lots of flavor! Have made twice and it will be on rotation!
Hey Maggie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Phenomenal recipe!!! The sauce is silky and creamy with layers of rich flavor. My family devoured it. It was tantamount to a meal from a gourmet restaurant.
Hey Shawn,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Just made this for my folks – super yummy and big crowd pleaser. Really make sure to cook off the alcohol, I didn’t cook it long enough (I’d rec ~6-7 mins) and the “a la vodka” was pretty aggressive!
Hey Hallie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was delicious and fairly easy to make! I did almost 1 tsp of the crushed red peppers and it was plenty spicy for us.
Hey Carrie,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Excellent! Nice and thick and rich, and makes a beautiful plate. Just a note for future chefs — I put in 1.5 tsp of red pepper flakes and it had quite a kick! I like spicy, so not a problem for me, but just an unexpected amount of heat. For a more traditional vodka sauce, stick to 1/2 tsp or leave it out altogether. Regardless, I loved it — will be making again!
Hey Sasha,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious. My husband said it was the best pasta I’ve ever made! Sauce came together quickly and tastes amazing. I halved the crushed red pepper and it was still plenty spicy!
Hey Anna,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was the best pasta dish I’ve ever made. Delicious.
Hey Sandra,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This turned out SO good and was the easiest to make
Hey Megan,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Loved this recipe! I have to say, I was skeptical about adding the basil pesto to the vodka sauce but it was WONDERFUL. I don’t think I’ve had anything like it- so easy to make too! I will be making this much more often, thank you for this delicious recipe!
Hey Morgan,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Made this tonight for the first time… ahhh-mazing! Just as all of Tieghan’s other recipes I’ve tried.. Easy and never disappoints!
Hey Gabriela,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This was amazing! Will definitely be a repeat recipe for our family.
Hey Brooke,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
First of all, I love most of Tieghan’s recipes… so talented! This one was no exception! It has great flavor and was relatively easy to make. Do not forget to season the sauce at some point like she says… mine was under salted which was totally my fault. Will definitely make again!
Hey Mahima,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Delicious! Super easy to make. We used Trader Joe’s pesto, added meatballs on top and stuck with just 1 tsp of crushed red pepper and it had the perfect amount of heat!
Hey Rachel,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This is my first hbh recipe I have made and it was delicious and so enjoyable to make! Easy peasy step by step guidance so thank you for the well written and easy to follow instructions! The addition of pesto to the vodka sauce was oh-em-gee crazy good!! Looking forward to our leftovers.
Hey Ciara,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Amazing! Made this tonight along with the Cheesy Garlic Bread and that was five stars as well! Exceeded all expectations. 10/10 chefs kiss. New favorite go to pasta dish!
Hey Lauren,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
So, so good! Made it just as written, except I didn’t use the whole pound of pasta after it was cooked – maybe 3/4? That seemed to be a good sauce:pasta ratio for us! 🙂 Served it with the herbed parmesan pull-apart garlic bread, brussels sprouts, and your molten chocolate pie – a truly decadent meal for the two of us on a dreary stay-at-home Saturday night.
Hey Bethany,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Amazing dish! My husband said this pasta was better than most of the ones from our favourite restaurants. Adding this into the weekly rotation!
Hey Lauren,
Thank you so very much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
made this for dinner last night – had been looking for a good vodka sauce and think I’ve found it!! this was EPIC. can’t stop thinking about it and so glad we have leftovers. 10/10 would recommend to everyone! the pesto was an extra nice touch and we didn’t change a thing. THANK YOU!!!!
Hey Jenny,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. I am so glad it worked out for you:) Happy New Year! xTieghan
I love this dish!! I’ve made it 3 times already! It’s a go to dish for my husband and I! I’ve started to buy the ingredients for it every time I’m at the grocery store so I’m ready to make it whenever I’m craving the dish last minute! We cook chicken on the stovetop and add it in the sauce and pasta to give us some protein. Really yummy!!
Hey Carly,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Oh my goodness, run, don’t walk, to make this!!! I made it a couple days ago and I’ve had it for every single meal (even breakfast! 😂) and it’s SO DANG GOOD. I used broth instead of vodka, and coconut milk instead of cream. Y’all. I also made a jar of this sauce for the freezer for a rainy day. You knocked this recipe outta the park, Tieghan! LOVE. Perfectly spiced and creamy and rich and just ~yum~
Hey Colleen,
LOL thank you so much for trying the recipe, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2021! xTieghan
Hi I’m so excited to make this! Wondering how I would sub out the pesto, my son is allergic to hazelnuts and not sure how he would do with pine so would rather not risk it!!
So delicious!!!!!
Thanks so much Nina! xTieghan
Holy smokes! I have made this twice now. It is so dang good. I was surprised at how well the pesto balanced with the other flavors, but it does! Definitely a keeper.
Hey Caitlin,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
My family loved this recipe! I served it with creme fraiche since some people in my house aren’t too keen on spicier dishes & it was a total hit! (I love spicy food and still really liked the cool addition!)
Hey Natalia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Such a silly question I have…when you say grated parmesan cheese, I’m guessing you don’t mean the Kraft stuff that comes in a can lol? Or do you? I have shredded parm and small slices of parm but no grated and wondering if it matters!
Hey Jen,
I like to grate my parm by hand, I know it takes more work, but it’s so much better! I hope you love the recipe. If you have any other questions, please let me know! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This is the best pasta sauce I’ve ever made! Everyone loved it! I’ve been a follower of yours for several years and actually saw you in So Cal at your book signing! I’ve loved every recipe of yours that I’ve made, but for some reason this was over the top delicious!
Hey Carol,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I’m not one to typically eat alla vodka, but I decided to try this recipe and it was delicious! My husband and I both loved it!
Hey Alissa,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
this was amazing! for those that have picky eaters, i omitted the pesto and chili flakes and it made a perfect simple vodka sauce. i served with a simple chicken milanese and roasted broccoli- YUM! thank you so much for this recipe 🙂
Hey Cara,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! So glad you have been able to adjust the recipe to your liking. Happy New Year! xTieghan
Probably one of the best, consistently good recipes for pasta. My husband and friends love it, and I recently introduced it to my Mom who dislikes spice and my Dad who can’t get enough spice and it agreed with both of them, sans substitutions. It’s just perfect for everyone. This recipe is gold!
Hey Sara,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
So delicious and so easy. Highly recommend
Hey Tyler,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
soooo good!! made this for dinner tonight, my family loved it. always love how HBH has so many classic recipes with an unexpected twist. the addition of pesto made this vodka pasta so unique and flavorful!!
Hey Gaby,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Made this for diinner last night and it was very good. I used 1 1/2 tbls of red pepper flakes and added 2 chicken breasts. Next time less red pepper as one kid found it a little spicy for him. Very easy to make.
Hey Jennifer,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Made this recipe twice in 1 week because we loved it so much–I added a mix of spicy Italian pork sausage and spicy Italian turkey sausage (both from Whole Foods), absolutely DELICIOUS and for sure my new go-to pasta recipe. Quick recipe that tastes like it was an hours-long labor of love! So so SO good.
Hey Jenna,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I have tried similar vodka pastas in the past but this one has turned out better than any others I’ve tried. Thanks again!
Hey Brette,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the vodka sauce, thanks for making the recipe! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This recipe is amazing! So quick, easy, and perfectly delicious! The previous vodka-sauce hater in the house is now a huge fan all due to this recipe!
Hey Lisa,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I can’t EXPLAIN how yummy this recipe is! It’s creamy, has a kick, and lacks nothing in flavor. I added spicy Italian sausage to it which paired perfectly with the dish. Don’t mind me if I finish the whole pan myself- no regrets.
Hi Madelyn,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. That is so great the recipe was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Ah-mayzing!! New favorite sauce ever!!
Thanks so much Heather! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Sooo tasty! We added chicken, will absolutely make again!
Hey Kim,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. I am so glad you enjoyed! xTieghan
This is amazing! My husband and I loved it. Your recipes never disappoint!
Hey Dinah,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. I am so glad you enjoyed! xTieghan
Second time making this in a month, and I’m ADDICTED. This time, I used spaghetti squash instead of real noodles, and it was still soooo delicious. Thank you!
Hey Shannon,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe. I am so glad you enjoyed! xTieghan
Thank you for the delicious recipe!! I added sausage to mine and highly recommend!
Hey Jessica,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Any meat recommendations to add to this? My husband is a hungry guy and needs his protein lol
Hey Becky,
Spicy Italian sausage would be great to add to this recipe! I hope you love the pasta, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this for dinner tonight! My boyfriend said he thought the first dinner I ever made him was good, however this was amazing and outweighed it! So good! I would cut back a tad on the red pepper flakes but other than that this dish is amazing! Thank you so much!
Hey Cait,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Made this tonight but also added ground beef and the whole family loved it! It’s definitely going on the rotation!
Hey Kristy,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Make this immediately. I have made it 3 times since discovering it three weeks ago. I’ve committed it to memory because its THAT GOOD and I never want to be without it.
Hey Paige,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday! xTieghan
I made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious! My husband kept saying how it was the best meal I’ve made him 🙂 Definitely will be making it again!
Hey Anna,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday! xTieghan
This is my new favorite pasta recipe! I always wanted to try a vodka sauce and this one is a keeper. I wasn’t sure when to add the butter so I left it out. I love how easy it is to whip up. I used store-bought pesto and it is definitely an essential piece to the recipe so do not skip out on this! Thanks Tieghan! 🙂
Hey Sara,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday! xTieghan
Delicious and super easy!
Thanks so much Emily!! xTieghan
So delicious! I only used about a 1/4 cup coconut cream and a 1/4 cup pesto, added a cup of tomato sauce. It was so flavorful! I also added some crispy prosciutto on top.
Hey Jessica,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This was delicious! I added large prawns and mopped it up with chunky garlic bread. You’re a life changer!
Hey Liz,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so excited that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
I have made this twice and am making it again tonight for guest. This has become a family favorite! My adult son and I are not huge pasta people, but this dish… changed that, he raves about this one. First its easy to pull together, Second it looks very impressive, and third and most important it is devine!! I serve it with some herbed break and your winter pomegranate salad..I look like quite a chef! Thank you..
Hey Gail,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so excited that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Made this tonight….. family favorite! Only added 1 tsp of chili flakes, my 8 year old found it spicy but 2 year old twins, 11 year old and mom and dad did not! Winner in my books! Thanks!!
Hey Shannon,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for trying it out! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Yummy paata and so easy to make
Thanks so much Joanna! xTieghan
This recipe is absolutely incredible! I made this for my friends on Friday and all of us couldn’t stop eating. It’s very flavorful and I will make this a staple in my kitchen moving forward. Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Cerella,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am so glad you enjoyed it! xTieghan
You know how sometimes by the time you’ve made the recipe and sat down to eat it, it just doesn’t seem like it was worth the effort? This is NOT the case with this recipe. I cannot believe an amateur like me made something so delicious. Neither can my husband. If you want a dinner with serious wow factor I can’t recommend enough. The depth of flavor is so rewarding. Perfect for these freezing 70 degree LA nights (JOKE)
Hey India,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Just made this for dinner with a breaded chicken cutlet in the air fryer and a big salad. So yummy! Thank you for such flavorful recipes.
Hey Kim,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
My husband was sure I had ordered this from a restaurant. He couldn’t believe how good it was! I’ll ignore the fact that I should be a little insulted by how he didn’t think I could’ve possibly made it! 🙂 Thanks for a great recipe that we’ll be making again and again!
Hey Dani,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
When I made this it came out brownish instead of red. I was wondering if I should have used double concentrate tomato paste?’
Hey Jen,
So sorry about the color, was there anything you adjusted in the recipe? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Absolutely delicious ! Served for a family dinner with crusty bread and a fresh salad . Perfect for Sunday January freezing cold dinner and I can’t wait for the leftovers tomorrow !
Hey Mia,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
When cooking this sauce for a large group is it safe to double or triple the recipe without effecting the quality?
Hey Cierra,
Yes, that would be totally fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight with balsamic grilled chicken! It’s delish! Made your kale pesto as well, the only thing I can say is mine did not look as pretty! Mixing the tomato paste mixture with the kale pesto turned it an interesting brown green color! Other than that it’s great!!!
Hey Morgen,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Another fantastic recipe! Love the addition of pesto and some red pepper flakes for heat. Delicious.
Hey Jen,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! xTieghan
Loved this recipe so much! Are there any substitutes for the heavy cream? We are a bit dairy sensitive!
Hey Luciana,
You can use your favorite dairy free milk, coconut milk would work well here. I hope you love the recipe. Thanks! xTieghan
I made this last night and it was so good – my husband didn’t even complain that we were having a meatless meal! I love the tip about slowly caramelizing the shallot and garlic. I froze half the sauce and hope to thaw/ throw on some pasta for another easy meal soon. Thanks!
Hey Brittany,
I am thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! I hope you have an awesome weekend:) xTieghan
Would you be able to add a meat to this sauce? What would you recommend and when should it be added? Thanks!
Hey Jen,
Sure, crumbled sausage would be great, or I like to season and cook chicken separately and then add to the dish at the end! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
This is sooooo good. Making it right now. I always add Jennie -O hot Italian sausage and use trader Joe’s vegan kale cashew pesto. Taking it to work tonight to share with my coworkers. Love!!
Hey Nicole,
I am so glad you liked the recipe, thanks for giving it a go! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Excellent recipe and super easy to make! I added spicy Italian sausage. I only had bow tie pasta on hand, it turned out great!
Hey Olivia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I made this and added some mild sausage to it and it was amazing! Seriously restaurant quality! I’ve been making your recipes for a year now and they are consistently amazing. Thank you for the yummy eats!
Hey Audrey,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
OMG this was both easy and delicious!!! Will definitely repeat, thanks for sharing!!!
Hey Karla,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
This is dangerously good!!!!!! Thank u for this amazing recipe.
Hubby added white mushrooms and Irish sausage links (cut out of the casing). The kitchen smelled amazing.
Hey Marcelia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
I made this with half pound of pasta and added shrimp and spinach. Mmmmmmmmm
Hey Liz,
I am so glad that the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xTieghan
im confused…in your entry you mention adding some of the pasta water to the sauce before adding the pasta and letting it cook for 5mins. THEN add the pasta to the sauce. However, in the recipe instructions you don’t state that. it says to reserve some of the pasta water but not to add it to the sauce before the pasta. which should we do follow?
“Now add in some of the pasta cooking water and simmer the sauce until it has reduced down a bit and thickened. At this point, your kitchen is going to smell amazing. There should be hints of garlic and butter throughout…it’s the best of Italian scents.
Once the pasta is cooked, toss it with the sauce and that pasta water…..”
Hey Marlene,
You want to follow the instructions as is:) I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
This was so easy to make but so delicious! I recommend everyone to try this recipe you will not be disappointed.
Hey Ally,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a go, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Can I make this w ground beef or chicken
Hey Joy,
Yes, either of those will work well here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Okay, so I’ve done the recipe two ways: 1)using RAO’s marinara instead of tomato paste & 2)using tomato paste. I think I like the marinara sauce version more! Either way though, so easy & so tasty!
Hey Caro,
Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I am thrilled that you liked it! I hope you have a great week:) xTieghan
Loved this recipe!! I love all your recipes tho! Can you share where you purchased the blue bowls you used in the video?!
Hey Eileen,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try. I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! So sorry, I do not have a link for these bowls. xTieghan
This recipe is incredible!! I made it for my little sister’s birthday dinner tonight, and the whole family absolutely loved it. Not a single noodle left. So delicious!!
Hey Heidi,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try. I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Is there an alternative if you don’t have enough tomato paste?
Hey Crystal,
You can you use tomato sauce as needed:) I hope you enjoy the recipe. Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi!! This recipe was so delicious. I made it for dinner this week and my family was obsessed! My one comment was that the pesto made the sauce a really ugly color (more brown than in your photos). I was wondering if you recommend using less pesto? I used the trader joes vegan cashew one. Flavor-wise it was 10/10!!!
Hey Lior,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! Have a great weekend! xTieghan
This is my new favorite recipe, I just love it! In your instagram story tutorial, you used a large wired spoon to drain the pasta as you scooped it out of the pasta water. Could you give me to the link to that utensil? I think it could be so handy. Thank you!
Hey Reilee,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! It’s called a spider strainer. Have a great weekend! xTieghan
This was EXCELLENT! We added Italian sausage and it turned out perfectly. The flavors were amazing. Can’t wait to make again!
Hey Tara,
I am thrilled you liked the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a go! Happy Sunday:) xTieghan
Way too heavy. Not a good combo unless you like a really heavy sauce.
Hey Lori,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you can help in anyway! xTieghan
Fabulous and easy. My husband made the awesome suggestion to add some sun dried tomatoes into the sauce. It was a great suggestion. The whole family loved this pasta. We also thought we might try added italian sausage (without casing and crumbled).
Hey Jennifer,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Made this tonight with some garlic knots. I was too lazy to go to the liquor store so I just used chicken broth, but it was still SO good! I’ve made so many of your recipes now and they’re all amazing. Thank you for doing what you do <3
Hey Kayleigh,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Absolutely delicious! Forgot the butter at the end and didn’t have fresh basil on hand so just added shredded Parmesan and toasted pine nuts on top… so good! Husband approved, also!!
Hey Abbey,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Absolutely delicious! My boyfriend and I opted out of the pesto and added prosciutto. Will never buy canned vodka sauce again. Definitely one of my favorite recipes and can’t wait to make it again!
Hey Jasmika,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Absolutely loved this. Made it for my dad’s birthday tonight and it was a hit! I added crumbled Italian sausage and spinach which we really loved. Will for sure make this again and try out different proteins/add ins. The addition to pesto in vodka sauce is a game changer and so so good. Tieghan you are the best!!!
Hey Olivia,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I ended up using the coconut milk as a substitution as a suggested and I think it kind of warps the flavor profile of the dish/is a strong flavor so would not use coconut milk next time.
Hey there,
So sorry you did not enjoy the recipe, please let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
I mean this pasta was absolutely delicious!!! So creamy and tasty! ♥️♥️
Hey Julia,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
This is one of my favorite recipes to make!! I absolutely love how this always turns out and my family really enjoys it too. It is super easy to make and absolutely DELICIOUS 🙂 Ever since I have come across this recipe I make it a few times a month.
Thank you for sharing it xx.
Hey Savannah,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
I ended up making this for my boyfriend and myself this weekend and let me tell you what a success! I might have went overboard with the red pepper, but regardless we both couldn’t stop talking about how delicious it was!! I love your blog, everything that I’ve made from it has been amazing
Hey Gianna,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
I just made this tonight and the hubby loved it! I followed the recipe with coconut milk (I am vegan inclined) and he didn’t even notice. It was so yummy. I will definitely be making this again
Hey Stina,
I am so thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for trying it out!! xTieghan
So yummy! thank you
Thanks so much Haley! xTieghan
So easy and so good! The sauce has a great taste and just enough heat to make it unique and interesting. I love that you can sub out the heavy cream for coconut milk. Really adds another flavor layer. I will be recommending this one to friends and family.
Hey Kate,
Thanks for making the recipe, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Ummm…this is incredible. Knock your socks off kind of incredible. Thank you!
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for making the recipe, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
My favorite vodka pasta ever! Made this for a small dinner gathering and everyone loved it! The addition of pesto adds so much flavor! Definitely making this one on repeat!
Hey Hailey,
I am so thrilled that you have enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for making it:) xTieghan
Love how quickly this came together! One question: is it tomato paste or sauce to be used? It mentioned to let it “thicken” after adding the paste but I felt the paste itself was quite thick to begin with so that was the only step that confused me.
Thanks!
Hey Karen,
I used tomato paste, I like to just stir it over the heat to allow it to thicken. Thanks so much for trying the recipe!! xTieghan
A creamy, delicious, comfort food that is simple to prepare. We are going to make it again this weekend with chicken added! YUMMO!
Hey Chelle,
I am so thrilled that you have enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for making it:) xTieghan
Just did these for the second time! Everybody loves them! Thank you for this great recipe!
Hey Margaux,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Can’t wait to try this recipe! If I am adding shrimp, would that alter any of the measurements needed for the sauce? Thank you!!
Hey Kerry,
I think shrimp would be a great addition, I would cook the shrimp on the side and then add when you are ready to plate the pasta. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Oh my gosh this is hands down the best pasta sauce I have ever made!! I did not want to stop eating!! I couldn’t get any red pepper flakes so swapped for Cheyenne pepper. Was absolutely gorgeous and will definitely be adding it to my meal planner. Thanks Tieghan x
Hey Hannah,
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks a lot for giving it a try and happy Sunday! xTieghan
This had the perfect amount of heat and creaminess! Will be making again.
Hey Grace,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a go, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Move this to the top of your recipe pile. It’s fantastic. I love that you can freeze the sauce. I’m not sure it needs 3T of butter at the end -I’ll try with less. I added zucchini and some sausage to my noodles. Love love love it.
Hey Maribeth,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a go, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
This was phenomenal. The whole family loved it. Will definitely make again. Doubled the sauce and added more pasta. Did not cut with water to thin. Thanks for this great recipe!
Hey Kortnie,
Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a go, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Hi Tieghan
I hope you are well. As an Irish girl in Ireland about to make this tasty recipe , I just wanted to clarify the tomatoe paste ( is this concentrated purée in a tube or the jars of passata ) I can’t get an actual paste here … thank you in advance.
Siobhán
Hey Siobhan,
You will want to use the concentrated tomato paste for this recipe! I hope you love the pasta, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Absolutely amazing!
Thanks so much Sara! xTieghan
I made this last night – had some extra pine nuts in my pantry…toasted them up and threw them on there…it REALLY added to the flavor – YUM! Try it!
Hey Helen,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This recipe is so delicious….it will be great on any pasta.
Hey June,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This is sooo yummy! I love the congenial combination of all classical pasta sauces (tomato, cream, pesto) with the extra vodka twist. My husband rated this as his new favorite pasta recipe ever!
I just recently discovered your HBH website (I know, it’s been around for a while …), and I got so many exciting new ideas. Thanks so much for the inspiration 🙂
Hey Kerstin,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This. Was. Heavenly. Easy to make and so flavorful. My first time using vodka and it was just amazing. My family loved and I will definitely make it again!
Hey Callie,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Wow wow wow! I was craving pasta and I stumbled upon this recipe. I am not a good cook whatsoever and never know what to make for dinner. This recipe, however, was so so easy and with every bite I couldn’t believe how yummy it was! Definitely a keeper of a recipe. I have never before written a review for any recipe I’ve tried, but I enjoyed this dish so much that I had to share.
Hey Shelby,
I am so thrilled the recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Happy Friday! xTieghan
Would this recipe work with browned ground beef mixed in? What type of meat would work in the sauce?
Hey Rachel,
My family loves when I do Italian chicken on the side, but I also think spicy Italian sausage would be great! I hope you love the dish! xTieghan
Anyone else having issues with the ads popping up and covering up text and reappearing incessantly ?
Hey there,
Sorry you are having issues, the ads should not be covering the recipes:) xTieghan
So delicious!! I added chorizo and it was perfect!
Hey Savannah,
I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Can I use gin?
Hey Lisa,
Sorry, I don’t think gin would be your best option here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Wow, serves this for a dinner party and everyone enjoyed. Thank you! Great recipe, easy to follow, manageable!
Hey there,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week! xTieghan
Yum! Any ideas on how you could add meat to this sauce?
Hey Martha,
I would add spicy Italian sausage or seasoned Italian chicken. I would cook on the side and then add to the dish at the end. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this for the first time a couple of months ago and it is now a regular every couple weeks! My husband has officially claimed it as one of the best meals I have ever made. If you’re reading the reviews and wondering if you should make it, stop everything you are doing and make it ASAP -you won’t regret it!
Hey Jo,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi, I made this today and loved it! I didn’t have cream so I used whole milk. My sauce was slightly runny, but so so good!
Hey Alisha,
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
Sooooo so good!! Best homemade sauce I’ve ever made. I subbed vegan Parmesan cheese and vegan pesto and used the coconut milk. I also used gluten free brown rice penne pasta just to make it more plant based compliant. I absolutely loved this! Thank you for the recipe!!
Hey Shannon,
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
This is so good! It all comes together quickly and is amazing! The kids loved it!
Hey Michelle,
I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
I just started making your recipes and they are DELISH!! I am attempting this one tomorrow and just wanted to know if I am making ahead of time, do you recommend just making sauce first and then pasta before eating or assembling all together (in a casserole/serving platter) and reheating would be fine?
Hey Andrea,
I make the sauce first but then combine everything. Totally fine to reheat. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was so, so good!! Went with 1 tsp of red pepper flakes and it had the perfect kick to jt! First bite and my husband said “this one is five stars!”
Hey Cayla,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Happy Valentine’s Day❤️ xTieghan
This is probably my FAVORITE version of this dish. This was the first recipe of yours I ever tried and it was SO good. The flavors were spot on and I loved how easy it was to make the sauce from scratch and not having to buy a jar from the store. This was on par with some of the best Penne alla Vodka that I’ve had in restaurants (NY) I have since made several other of your recipes and have loved them all. You make me enjoy cooking (and I hate cooking lol) Your videos on instagram are a HUGE help because I am a visual learner – keep them coming, please. ^_^ I am basically going to go through your recipes a la Julie & Julia at this point lmao. x
Hey Costantina,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Happy Valentine’s Day❤️ xTieghan
Made this for early Valentine’s Day dinner and it was crazy delicious. Easily the best homemade vodka sauce I’ve had. And it came together super quickly which is always a big plus!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Hey Grace,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Happy Valentine’s Day❤️ xTieghan
I added portobello mushroom slices with the onions and shallots. Super yummy and super easy!! New fave pasta dish 🤤
Hey Bee,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I’ve made this a few times so far, and WOW is it delicious 😋.
Hey Krista,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I made this recipe last night for Valentine’s Day and man oh man was it special!!! I loved it so much!! I only used 2/3 cup heavy cream because that’s all I had and I probably would have been okay with a little less, but it was so flavorful! I wish I had had some shrimp to throw in with it! Thank you for another outstanding, conforming recipe!
Hey Kaitlin,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
I’ve made this a few times now. I like fresh jalapeños minced in with the tomato paste for a sweeter spice. And I use a quinoa pasta, (I think Gogo pasta) for diet restrictions. Other than this the family calls this the every Tuesday pasta because they demand it.
Hey Brandon,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Perfect exactly as-is. Hint of spice, but not too much. We couldn’t stop eating it.
Hey there,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy Sunday:) xTieghan
I think about this sauce all of the time – it is seriously so delicious & SO quick! *round of applause*
Hey Grace,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
This is one of the best pasta recipes I’ve ever made. Absolutely delicious. Thank you!!
Hey Connie,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
This was amazing! Another one going in my favourites file!
I added some Italian sausage and the sauce complimented it perfectly. Even my picky eater loved it and asked to take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow 😄
Hey Colleen,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
Tasted so awesome! I used heavy cream and all 6 oz of tomato paste. Also added spinach when recipe called for pasta, cooking water and butter. Keeper!
Hey Lulu,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
One of my absolute favorite dishes! Everyone loved it, especially the pesto twist on a classic recipe. I would love to see more recipes like this that are simple and easy to pull together after a workday!
Hey Christine,
I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thank you for making it! xTieghan
Hi, the whole family loved this so much! Thank you for the wonderful recipe. I’m already thinking about making it for a weekend gathering, but the kids always distract me from really cooking on the weekends. How many days can you make the sauce ahead of time?
Hey Euni,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for trying it out! I would make the sauce no more than 3 days ahead of time or you can make and freeze it. Happy Friday! xTieghan
Better than restaurant quality and a nice spicy flavor – this is such an easy pasta alla vodka recipe and I don’t think I’ll ever need to search for another one again! I used store bought pesto which made it a little more oily so I’ll need to figure that out next time but this is definitely a keeper!!
Hey Nicole,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Have great week:) xTieghan
This recipe is *chef’s kiss* unreal delicious. Probably our favorite HBH recipe. The sauce is so flavorful and SO easy! Absolutely to die for.
Hey Kate,
Thanks a bunch for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This is my absolute favorite thing to make. It’s so creamy, rich, flavorful, and a total crowd pleaser! I sometimes add some frozen meatballs in there for added protein 🙂 Even my pasta-hater husband gobbles this stuff up! Thanks, Tieghan!
Hey Alli,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, it makes me so happy that it was enjoyed. Happy Friday! xTieghan
Amazing! Guests loved this!
Thanks so much Courtney! xTieghan
Easy and delicious!
Thanks so much Rachel! xTieghan
We love this recipe! It’s become a weekly dinner in our household!!
We’ve recently been trying to be more plant based and I find the coconut milk adds a sweetness to the sauce that I don’t love. Could you use a different milk alternative that didn’t have so much sweetness?
Hey Corrissa,
Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad it was enjoyed! You can use any milk that you enjoy:) xTieghan
This recipe was absolutely amazing and so easy to make. I made the regular version and a gluten-free + vegan version (at the same time too). My guests raved about it, and I was amazed with the gluten free + vegan version too. Absolutely recommend!
Hey Erica,
Awesome, I love to hear that the recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This dish was amazing. I basically had all the ingredients already on hand. I used bow-tie pasta as that was what I had in my pantry. This dish was delicious, easy, and quick. I’ll definitely be making this recipe over and over. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hey Tricia,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday💕 xTieghan
So I actually made a gluten dairy free version of this The coconut milk was a great sub, but I split it with a almond based heavy cream (so the coconut flavor wasn’t too prominent) I used a dash of wine, gluten free pasta and some daiya cheese and plant based butter I also added some spicy Italian sausage and it worked perfectly! 😇
Hey Catalina,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Have the best weekend☀️ xTieghan
I used veggie stock instead of vodka and added veggie “sausage” on top! I loved it! Definitely not as spicy as I was expecting it to be, but I’m not complaining.
Hey Sarah,
I am absolutely delighted that you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for making it! Have the best week☀️ xTieghan
I’ve made so many of your recipes but I think this one takes the cake!! So yummy!
Hey Angel,
Thanks for making this recipe! I am so glad it was a hit! xTieghan
Made this last night for friends and it was amazing’ everyone loved it and went back for seconds! It was so easy but still felt fancy because I made the sauce! 10/10!
Hey Brandyn,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it. Happy Sunday! ☀️Tieghan
By far… my family of four’s favorite dish. It’s on my 9 year old son’s “yes day” dinner list. I make a bit of Italian sausage on the side to add a little meat. We live in Breck and love to try your recipes! Thank you!
Hey Kelly,
I really appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed.🌷 xTieghan
My family cannot get enough of this amazing pasta. Thank you for making me look like a gourmet chef!
Hey Kristin,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Love making this!!! Any suggestions for reheating? I am a college student and love having leftovers, but it just not as creamy when I reheat it the next day. Thanks!!
Hey Anna,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! I would reheat on the stove top. Have a great week:) xTieghan
Huge hit at my house!
Hey Stacey,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Super easy to make! So delicious and yummy, very filling and makes quite a bit of sauce! Will definitely be making this again. Perfect for a Sunday evening!
Hey Ally,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! 🌷xTieghan
I made this with coconut milk and it was so creamy! Another winner.
Hey Emily,
Awesome! So glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
This is one of the BEST pasta recipes I have ever eaten!! So amazing!!
Hey Jennifer,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hands down my favorite recipe from you! I have made it multiple times but my hips and thighs are begging me to cool it with the pasta. Tonight I made the sauce and served it over zucchini noodles and meatballs. Just as delicious because, of course, it’s all about the sauce! Thanks for a great recipe!
Hey Yvonne,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed. Have a great Wednesday! xTieghan
Soooooooo delicious. Made it as written and served with sautéed greens and sausages in the side. 2 tsp was plenty of spice for me, but my teens wanted it spicier 🤷🏻♀️ This is definitely going into the regular dinner rotation.
Hey Krista,
I am so excited that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! 💕Tieghan
This is our favorite dinner recipe to date! My husband asks me to make it at least once a week and I’m literally making it as I type..it’s that good 😉 I sometimes add sausage because he loves meat but it’s just as good without it. Thanks, Tieghan for sharing this! 🙂
Hey Kim,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
Delicious!! Our favorite pasta recipe!
We’ve made it over 10 times already and not getting bored of it 🙂
Hey Paulina,
I am so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xxTieghan
SO yummy and easy enough for a weeknight meal! It was a hit both for kids and adults.
Hey Lesia,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
I was going to make a Bolognese but a coworker recommended this and I’ve changed my mind now. Can’t wait to try it! She said it was amazing.
Let me know if you give the recipe a try Sherry!
This is DELICIOUS did brown some spicy Italian sausage and added at the end but followed recipe exactly. My daughter in law ate 2 helpings LOL.
Hey Sharon,
Wonderful!! I am so so glad that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
This has become a staple in my house! I use the 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes because we love spicy!
Hey Sarah,
Happy Friday!! I am so excited that this recipe was enjoyed, I appreciate you giving it a try!! xTieghan
I want to purchase the HBH cookbook that has the recipe for spicy pesto pasta alla vodka in it, as a gift. Which book has it?
Hey Donna,
This recipe is only available on the blog, it is not in either cookbook:) xTieghan