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Plate of healthy pasta alla vodka topped with parmesan and parsley

Healthy Pasta alla Vodka Sauce

This Healthy Pasta alla Vodka Sauce is creamy, rich, and comforting while using simple ingredients and whole milk for a lighter twist. Ready in under 30 minutes, this easy homemade vodka pasta is perfect for weeknights and packed with flavor.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot diced (can sub ½ onion)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup vodka (can sub water if needed)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter optional
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Right before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
    8 oz pasta
  • Sauté the aromatics. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and minced garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and lightly golden. The garlic should turn golden but not brown.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 shallot, 3 cloves garlic
  • Caramelize the tomato paste. Add the tomato paste to the skillet and let it cook undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes before stirring. Stir, then continue cooking for another minute until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes deeply fragrant.
    ¼ cup tomato paste
  • Deglaze with vodka. Pour in the vodka and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the vodka simmer for about 1 to 2 minutes.
    ⅓ cup vodka
  • Add the milk and parmesan. Lower the heat and slowly whisk in the whole milk and salt until smooth and uniform. If using butter, stir it in now. Let the sauce gently simmer with light bubbles until slightly thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted.
    1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 tablespoon salted butter, ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Combine the pasta and sauce. Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce along with about ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss continuously until every noodle is coated in the creamy sauce.
  • Adjust the consistency and serve. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Serve, then top with additional parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
    parsley
Keyword 15-minute, 20-minute, Cheesy, easy recipes, healthy, one-pan, pasta, Weeknight dinner
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