Nonna Maria's Pasta alla Vodka

This Pasta alla Vodka recipe is a treasured family favorite from my grandmother's Brooklyn kitchen, reimagined for the modern home cook. The creamy tomato sauce, enhanced with a splash of vodka, creates a velvety texture that perfectly coats the pasta. It's a beautiful balance of rich flavors that comes together quickly for a weeknight dinner but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Techniques: sautéing, reducing, emulsifying
Equipment Needed
- Large pot for pasta
- Large, deep skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Colander
- Cheese grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
This recipe comes together quickly, so have all your ingredients prepped and ready before you begin. The key to a silky vodka sauce is patience when incorporating the cream and maintaining a gentle simmer.
For a special touch, serve this pasta family-style in a large, warmed serving bowl. It's how my Nonna always presented pasta at Sunday dinners, creating that moment of anticipation before everyone digs in.