Vodka Sauce

Best Vodka Sauce Recipe

My husband and I often cook at home on Sundays for date nights in, and it’s one of my favorite traditions. We experiment with different dishes like Fig and Caramelized Onion Flatbreads and Balsamic Salmon. However, this vodka sauce is one recipe we come back to again and again. 

We’ve made this vodka sauce more times than I can remember and perfected it to an absolute best sauce ever!

It uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand, it requires a prep time of just 15 minutes and is ready to eat in under an hour. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s far better than any jarred variety and tastes like it came from the kitchen of a fancy restaurant. 

We love serving it with buttery penne pasta and an Avocado Caesar Saladfor an effortless yet impressive meal!

This sauce is a combo of the sweet-spicy mixture and when you pair it with hot buttery penne pasta…it’s a match made in heaven! All you need is a simple salad, such as Tomato Mozzarella Salad and you’re set!

Vodka Pasta Sauce Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

• Olive oil: I like to use extra-virgin olive oil in place of butter to make this recipe a little lighter. 
• Aromatics: Sweet onion and garlic cloves. 
• Herbs and spices: Red pepper flakes, kosher salt, fresh basil, and black pepper. 
• Whole peeled tomatoes: If possible, use San Marzano tomatoes. They have the best flavor for making sauces and are great for long-simmering recipes.
• Vodka: Use your favorite brand of vodka. 
• Tomato paste: This thickens the sauce and adds a more intense tomato flavor. Keep in mind that it burns quickly. So, stir constantly after adding it. 
• Balsamic vinegar: Use high-quality balsamic vinegar to balance the richness of the sauce. 
• Half and half: We use this in place of heavy cream to lighten the sauce without sacrificing the rich flavor or creamy consistency. 
• Parmesan cheese: For the best taste and texture, buy a block of parmesan, and grate it yourself. 
• Pasta: I prefer to use penne pasta, but any shape you like best will work for this recipe.

How to Make Vodka Sauce

Here are brief steps to make this vodka sauce recipe. For the full description, see the recipe card below.

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until soft. Then, add the red pepper flakes, and cook for an additional minute. 

Step 2: Stir in the tomatoes and vodka, and continue cooking until the mixture reduces slightly, stirring occasionally. 

Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Then, reduce the heat to low, and simmer partially covered until the sauce is reduced by half, stirring occasionally. 

Step 4: While the sauce simmer, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. Drain the water, and set the cooked pasta aside. 

Step 5: Transfer the tomato mixture to a food processor or blender. Add the basil, and purée until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan, and stir in part of the half and half, adding more as needed. Continue to cook until warmed through. 

Step 6: Stir in the parmesan cheese and cooked pasta, tossing to combine and coat. 

Step 7: Serve your pasta and vodka sauce immediately with extra parmesan and basil, if desired.

Ways To Serve Vodka Sauce

One of my personal favorite ways to serve vodka sauce is simply swapping it in some of our favorite recipes where it calls for a pasta sauce. It’s a great way to add flavor without compromising the overall recipe.

• Orecchiette with Baked Mini Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Cream Sauce
• Italian Zucchini Spaghetti Bake
• Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups with Spinach and Artichokes
• Sheet Pan Chicken Parmesan Meatballs 

But of course, you can always simply toss the vodka sauce with hot buttery noodles, pair it with a salad and call it a day. Here are some of our favorite salads to pair with pasta:

• Easy Chickpea Tomato Salad 
• Creamy Zucchini Corn Salad
• Chopped Wedge Salad
• Kale Caesar Salad