Vodka Sauce

This creamy Vodka Sauce recipe is rich with a velvety, smooth texture and it is absolutely delicious! Serve it over your favorite pasta and top it with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil as a garnish. You will not believe how easy it is to make!

If you have never tried Vodka Sauce before, you’re in for a treat! This is undoubtedly the BEST recipe. Do not be intimidated by the name. Even though it is technically made with vodka, all of the alcohol cooks out completely by the time the sauce is done. No worries! It is safe for children to consume, as well.

Ingredients needed to make this Vodka Sauce:

• Two 28 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes with basil – Be sure it has the basil in it. If you cannot find crushed tomatoes with the basil, you should add some of your own dried basil in your sauce.
• Red onion and garlic – They give the sauce a more robust flavor! Red onion tends to be more mild in flavor when compared to yellow or white onions. But you can absolutely try using a yellow onion or even shallots instead of the red onion.
• Vodka – Definitely can not forget this ingredient! It would not be vodka sauce without it. The vodka helps the cream merge together with the tomato base of the sauce without giving off too much of its own flavor. The vodka is added early in the cooking process, allowing the alcohol to cook out completely. You can use any brand of vodka that you like. However, I have always been told that in cooking, never cook with alcohol that you would not drink!
• Fresh parsley – It adds flavor to the sauce. It is a mild tasting, semi sweet and a bit earthy tasting herb.
• Heavy cream – The recipe calls for a pint of heavy cream. However, if you would like your sauce to be less creamy, do not add the entire pint.
• Sugar – It helps to cut the acidity of the sauce.
• Butter – Use 2 sticks of butter. It sounds like it will be too much, but this is what gives the Vodka sauce its balanced richness. The butter acts as an emulsifier which will give your sauce that thick and velvety texture.

Instructions on how to make the BEST vodka sauce:

1. Start off by melting two sticks or 1 cup of butter in a dutch oven or large pot, on medium heat. Be sure not to turn the heat up too high, as you do not want to burn the butter.
2. Next, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are soft.
3. Then bring on the vodka! Add 1 cup of vodka and cook for 10 minutes. Be careful not to inhale, as this will smell pretty potent of alcohol at this point!
4. Next, stir in the 2 cans of crushed tomatoes with basil. Mix until combined. Then stir in the sugar and the fresh chopped parsley. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes. I always partially cover it, as it tends to splatter while it cooks! Be sure to stir the sauce frequently so it does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
5. Then stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to combine. Allow to simmer for about 45 minutes. Add salt and ground pepper to taste. Stir frequently!

     6. Serve over your favorite pasta. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil and               enjoy!

Instructions to make ahead and freeze:

Make ahead- This Vodka sauce recipe is easy to make but it does take some time to cook. To be exact, it takes about an hour and a half to cook. The longer the sauce has to cook, the better. I tend to make this sauce ahead of time. I will cook it on a Sunday when I have the time so I can serve it during the week. This sauce will safely keep in the fridge for 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Freeze- This recipe makes a large amount of sauce, which is why I love it. It will feed the whole family plus more! It freezes really well if there are leftovers. Allow the sauce to cool completely before putting it away. Store it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the sauce in the fridge. Then place in a pot and simmer on the stove until hot.

What kind of pasta should I serve Vodka sauce with?

You can serve the Vodka sauce over so many different kinds of pasta! Some great ideas are:

• Spaghetti or bucatini
• Angel hair pasta
• Fusilli pasta
• Gemelli pasta
• Orecchiette pasta or shells
• Penne pasta
• Rigatoni pasta – my personal favorite
• Ziti Rigati
• Rotini pasta
• Ravioli or tortellini
• Gnocchi – I just love these little dumplings, usually consisting of flour, potato and egg.

The Best Vodka Sauce

This creamy Vodka Sauce recipe is rich with a velvety, smooth texture and it is absolutely delicious! Serve it over your favorite pasta and top it with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil as a garnish.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 10

Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup butter
• 1 red onion chopped
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 2 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes with basil
• 2 tsp sugar
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
• 1 pint heavy cream
• salt and ground pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnish, optional

Instructions

 

• On medium heat, melt butter in a dutch oven or large pot. Then add red onion and garlic and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until soft.
• Add the vodka simmer for 10 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook out.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes with basil. Add the sugar and parsley. Mix well to combine. Once boiling, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes, partially covered. Stir frequently.
• Then stir in the heavy cream. Mix well to combine. Allow to simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir frequently. Add salt and ground pepper to taste.
• Serve over your favorite pasta and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

• This is a great sauce to make ahead. It will safely keep in the fridge for 4-5 days if stored properly in an airtight container.
• This recipe makes a large amount of sauce. Freeze in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.
• If you prefer your sauce a little less creamy, do not add the entire pint of heavy cream to your sauce. 

Keyword easy, pasta, sauce, vodka sauce