Pastina Alla Vodka

Course: Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 30

Servings: people

Calories: 747kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

This creamy, rich, and utterly satisfying Pastina Alla Vodka is pure comfort in a bowl. The velvety tomato sauce gets its signature depth from a splash of vodka, savory Italian sausage, and a generous helping of Parmesan. Best of all, it all comes together in one skillet in just 30-minutes!

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Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups pastini pasta
1 pound Italian sausage ground
1 Tablespoon olive oil extra virgin, plus additional for drizzling
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes undrained
1 teaspoon salt
1 shallot minced
3 cloves garlic minced
3/4 cup vodka
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese grated
Pinch red pepper flakes
4 ounces spinach
Basil sprigs to garnish (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
Meanwhile, heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 pound Italian sausage, and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
To the now empty pan, add the 1 shallot and cook for 3-5 minutes, until softened. Add 3 cloves garlic and cook 30 seconds longer, until fragrant. Pour in 3/4 cup vodka, increase the heat to medium-high and reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes.
Add in 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
While the sauce simmers, add 2 cups pastini pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente.
To your sauce, add the 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup parmesan cheese, Pinch red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta, sausage and 4 ounces spinach and stir to combine.
Top with fresh basil and additional parmesan cheese, if desired. Drizzle with olive oil to finish.

Notes

Storing

Store leftover pastina alla vodka in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
While possible, freezing is not recommended for this dish as the pasta may become mushy upon thawing. If freezing, store in portioned containers for up to 1 month, but expect a slight change to the texture.
Gently reheat your saucy pasta on the stovetop with a splash of cream or extra vodka to restore its texture, stirring over low to medium heat until warmed through. Add freshly grated Parmesan and basil sprigs just before serving.

Tips and tricks

Boil the pasta while making the sauce to save yourself time.
Use reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce, if needed. It won’t dilute the flavor of the dish.
Add the pasta and spinach to the sauce towards the end of cooking to maintain texture, as overcooking in the simmering sauce can turn both of these ingredients mushy.
Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes after completion to allow the sauce to thicken and cling to the pasta.
Use a large enough skillet to comfortably hold all of the ingredients.
Vodka enhances the flavor of the creamy tomato sauce. Once added to the sauce and simmered, the vodka loses most of its alcoholic pungency, leaving behind a slight bite.

Variations

Gluten-free - Use gluten-free pasta to cater to allergies. You could also make this dish with gnocchi.
Vegetarian - Omit the ground sausage and add tofu or additional veggies instead.
Vegan pastini alla vodka - In addition to omitting the sausage, use coconut cream and dairy free parmesan cheese instead.
Alcohol- free - You can also leave the alcohol out entirely and still have a creamy and delicious tomato sauce. If you choose to omit the alcohol, you may want to swirl in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar when the sauce is finished to give it that extra layer of flavor.
Spicy kick: Stir in up to 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce to give it more heat. The spice pairs really well with the bite from the vodka.
Add-ins - Add in crispy prosciutto, roasted tomatoes (or air fryer tomatoes), mushrooms, and Italian herbs to make each bite extra hearty.

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