The Model Pasta Recipe is one that looks so good, you’ll just have to take a picture of it. And don’t you worry… this dish isn’t just serving up looks! You can bet that the flavors within will work it, too! Strut right up to a bowl of this bouncy rotini pasta tossed in the creamy, tomato-y, homemade vodka sauce, and after one bite, you’ll be feeling some kind of fierce. You’ll want to strike a pose with The Model Pasta Recipe, because it just might make it on the front cover of a glamorous foodie magazine someday!
Ingredients
- 1/2 (16-ounce) box rotini pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon vodka
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan, shredded, for garnish
- dried basil, to taste, crushed, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –In a pot of salted, boiling water, cook the rotini to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 –Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
Step 3 –In a small bowl, add the salt, the paprika, the red pepper flakes, and the garlic powder and whisk to combine.
Step 4 –In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, heat the oil until it is sizzling.
Step 5 –Add the onion, the minced garlic, and the spice mixture to the heated oil and sauté until it is fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.
Step 6 –Add the tomato paste, the butter, the vodka, and the whipping cream to the onion mixture and mix until the sauce is slightly orange/pink in color and has started to thicken.
Step 7 –Cook the sauce, stirring constantly, until it is heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low if the pan becomes too hot.
Step 8 –Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to the sauce and stir constantly.
Step 9 –Increase the heat to low-medium and cook the sauce, stirring frequently, until some of the excess liquid evaporates, about 5-6 minutes. Add the remaining pasta water if the sauce thins too much.
Step 10 –Add the cooked rotini into the sauce and toss to coat.
Step 11 –Serve the pasta garnished with the parmesan and the basil.
