Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

This is my take on the popular spicy vodka rigatoni and it definitely brings the heat.

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 16 oz rigatoni pasta

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• ½ large onion, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp minced garlic (or 6 cloves minced)

• 2 tbsp calabrian chili paste (or 1 tbsp for less spice)

• 6 oz tomato paste

• 1 tbsp crushed red pepper

• ⅓ cup vodka

• ¾ cup heavy cream (or vegan heavy cream)

• 1-1½ cup pasta water (depending on how saucy you want it)

• 1 tbsp butter (or vegan butter)

• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

Directions:

1. Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta al dente according to instructions on the box (usually I do 9 minutes)

2. Set aside about 1-1½ cup of pasta water

3. While pasta is cooking, heat a pan on medium heat and add olive oil

4. Saute finely chopped onion for 3-4 minutes

5. Add garlic and calabrian chili paste and cook for 2-3 minutes

6. Add tomato paste and cook for 8-9 minutes until tomato paste turns into deep red/brown color

7. Stir the paste every few minutes to prevent it from burning

8. Add crushed red pepper and cook for another 1-2 minutes

9. Add vodka and cook for 3-4 minutes until alcohol has burned off

10. Stir in heavy cream

11. Add pasta water, butter and nutritional yeast

12. Add cooked pasta and mix well

13. Optionally, top with additional crushed red pepper and enjoy!

Instagram Reel - Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

TikTok - Spicy Vodka Rigatoni