Spicy Vodka Pasta (Pasta alla Vodka)

By Editor On Aug 28, 2025

This quick and easy Spicy Vodka Pasta, also known as Pasta alla Vodka, is creamy, flavorful, and ready in 25 minutes! Inspired by the viral Gigi Hadid vodka pasta recipe, my version packs a punch and is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite.

Spicy Vodka Sauce

Rich and flavorful tomato sauce is loaded with smooth cream and crushed red chili flakes, providing the perfect balance of heat and flavor. Top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese before serving.

Serve this vodka sauce pasta dish with a side of garlic bread, sautéed mushrooms, or an Italian salad to complement the meal.

labeled photo showing the ingredients to make Spicy Vodka Sauce.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the key ingredients required to make pasta with vodka sauce. For the complete list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below:

Pasta: Any pasta noodle will work; however, I recommend sticking to a short noodle, such as penne, rotini, or rigatoni pasta.

Heavy Cream: This ingredient adds thickness and creaminess to the spicy vodka sauce, so try not to substitute it. If you must, half-and-half is ideal.

Tomato Paste: Use crushed tomatoes or tomato purée instead of tomato paste, then simmer until the mixture has thickened.

Vodka: If you want to make spicy vodka pasta with no vodka, simply replace it with chicken or beef broth.

Shallots: A suitable substitution is to use equal parts of red or white onion.

Red Pepper Flakes: Replace with cayenne powder or Calabrian chilies for a different flavor and level of heat.

How To Make Vodka Pasta

Here are a few step by step photos to help guide you through making this recipe, if needed.

silver sauce pan with butter and tomato sauce. — Soften the shallots and garlic then add the tomato paste and pepper flakes.

Silver saucepan with tomato sauce. — Cook for 4-5 minutes until the tomato mixture darkens and is well combined.

SIlver sauce pan with orange sauce and grated parmesan cheese. — Add the heavy cream, salt, and half the parmesan cheese to create a silky sauce.

SIlver sauce pan with cooked pasta noodles. — Add the cooked pasta noodles to the sauce and toss to combine.

Spicy Vodka Pasta Recipe Variations

Here are a few variations to consider when making this pasta recipe:

Chicken and Vodka Pasta: Cook a chicken breast using your preferred method while preparing the rest of the dish. Just slice and add to the top of the dish before serving.

Vodka Pasta with Sausage: To add, cook the Italian sausage with the onions, then proceed with the recipe as written.

Fresh Vegetables: Add extra vegetables, such as bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms, to boost the nutritional value.

Tips

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making this spicy vodka pasta recipe:

Make a double batch – leftovers reheat beautifully!
Toast the tomato paste for a couple of minutes to deepen the flavor before adding liquids.
Boil your pasta until it’s just al dente, as it will continue cooking in the sauce.
Reserve pasta water- It helps emulsify and thicken the sauce.
Don’t overheat the sauce. Gentle heat prevents the dairy from separating.
Serve immediately: The sauce thickens as it cools, so enjoy right away.

White bowl of Spicy Vodka Pasta with hand holding fork.

Drink Pairings

Spicy vodka pasta pairs well with crisp whites like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, light reds such as Chianti or Pinot Noir, or a sparkling Prosecco to balance the heat and creaminess.