Are you looking to give your family members something exciting to eat? Try this classic spicy rigatoni vodka recipe which is homemade, nutritious, and healthy. This is the authentic pasta along with cheese that has captured the hearts of millions. You can not resist its creamy texture with the tomato base in your mouth. Most importantly, the blend of vodka is the trick that helps in the thickening of the gravy. This is a perfect meal for the family which can be eaten on weeknights.
Table of Contents
Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe?
Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Ingredients
- Turkey Mince: "Turkey mince is a fantastic addition to increase the protein content and make a healthy meal.
- Tomato Puree: Tomato puree is the perfect foundation for the vodka rigatoni sauce and tomato sauce or squashed fresh tomatoes can be substituted.
- Single Cream: Carbone's spicy rigatoni must be finished with a single cream and it's also a more moderate option in terms of calories.
Variations
- Choice of Alcohol: This meal can be made with chicken or vegetable broth with many types of alcohol, like gin, tequila, white wine, lemon juice, or cognac.
- Type of Pasta: You can use pasta like penne or similar tubular noodles.
- Meat Options: You could like to use Italian sausage, If you're not a fan of turkey, chicken, or pork mince rather. You can include cooked chicken or chicken sausage bits for an extra twist. Adjust the amount of chili flakes to manage the heat.
- Flavor Enhancements: Take culinary creativity to the next level by substituting shallots for onions, boosting the vodka content for additional oomph, adding sun-dried tomatoes for richness, or adding fresh mozzarella and basil for a wonderful variation.
How to make Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe?
- In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat the olive oil over high heat and add the turkey mince and brown it 5 minutes, spreading it throughout the pan without stirring.
- Twist the meat over to brown 5 minutes the other side. After separating the mince, cook for five minutes. Take the cooked meat out of the pan.
- In the same pan, add the diced onion and the leftover olive oil. After adding salt and pepper, sauté for around five minutes.
- After adding the vodka, turn up the heat, stir, and continue cooking until the liquid evaporates and the alcohol boils off.
- While the vodka sauce is simmering, cook the rigatoni in salted water for two minutes shorter than the timeframe instructed on the package.
- Return the cooked turkey mince to the pan and stir. Reduce the heat, add about 4 ladles of pasta water, and then mix in the cream.
- Add the al dente pasta and reserve a small amount of the extra pasta water in case the pasta sticks. Additionally, add half of the parmesan. Stir and continue heating until the pasta is cooked to your preferred consistency and the sauce has thickened.
- If needed, have extra pasta water to attain the chosen consistency. Finally, finish the dish with the remaining parmesan and fresh basil before serving.
Tips for the Best Result
- Make Use of Calabrian Chilis: For a unique and spicy taste, use Calabrian chilis if they are available. These chilis are used in the traditional Carbone meal. They work well as a substitute for red pepper flakes in your vodka sauce, despite their somewhat higher price tag.
- Cook the Pasta Al Dente: Cooking the pasta al dente is making the best homemade spicy rigatoni vodka. Take it out of the boiling water two minutes before it's done. Al dente pasta has more starch, sauce covers it nicely and remains from acquiring mushy.
- Make Extra Sauce: If your rigatoni meal is spicy, you might want to make extra sauce. Extra sauce that you can freeze and keep in airtight containers for later use.
- You can keep the sauce in freezer for up to three months.
What to serve with spicy rigatoni?
While spicy rigatoni vodka is tasty, you can improve your meal with complementary side dishes by serving it.
Salad: A fresh salad along with the pasta can provide extra nutrients and fiber in your diet.
Bread: Pasta with bread like focaccia is a wonderful way to savor every last bit of the delicious sauce.
Spicy Vodka Rigatoni Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g turkey mince (£3.55)
- 1 onion, finely diced (£0.09)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced (£0.69/3)=(£0.23)
- 8 tbsp tomato puree (£0.35)
- 400 g rigatoni (£0.65)
- 50 ml vodka (£6.00/7)=(£0.86)
- 50 ml single cream (£0.80)
- 50 g parmesan, finely grated (£1.75/2)=(£0.87)
- Fresh basil, finely chopped (£0.55)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- In a big, nonstick pan, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the turkey mince and cook, stirring, until it browns, about 5 minutes.
- Once the mince has browned nicely, after 5 minutes, split it up with a spatula and cook for a further 5 minutes. Put the cooked meat aside.
- Lower the heat, then add the chopped onion to the pan with the remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.
- Once the onion is fine, add chili flakes, minced garlic, and tomato puree to the pan. Stir to mix and cook over low heat for around 8 minutes. While doing this, cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water, following the packet instructions, but set your timer 2 minutes less.
- When the tomato puree darkens, add the vodka, raise the heat, and cook until the liquid has disappeared and the alcohol has cooked off. Stir in the cooked turkey mince.
- Add about 4 spoons of pasta moisture to the pan, lower the heat, and mix in the cream along with the al dente pasta. Place some extra pasta water just in case. Add half of the parmesan and continue cooking until the sauce thickens, and the pasta is perfectly cooked.
- Finish by topping the dish with the remaining parmesan and fresh basil before serving.
Notes
ChilieFlavor: For an authentic twist inspired by Carbone, you can replace red pepper flakes with Calabrian chilis. This change will give your spicy Rigatoni vodka a special and actual taste.
Perfect Pasta: To make the best spicy rigatoni vodka, make sure to cook the pasta al dente. This not only improves the texture but also helps the sauce stick better, preventing the pasta from becoming mushy when reheated.
Convenient Meal Prep: To save time and enjoy your favorite dish more conveniently in the future, think about making a double or triple batch of the sauce. Store any extra sauce in airtight containers, and it can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. This makes reheating your delicious spicy Rigatoni vodka hassle-free.
Nutrition Facts
| Fat | 13g |
| Calories | 543kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 63g |
| Protein | 28g |
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FAQs
What Does Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Taste Like?
Spicy rigatoni vodka sauce has a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy flavor. The vodka contributes a subtle complexity to the sauce, while the creaminess and red pepper flakes add depth and heat.
Is Carbone Spicy Rigatoni Good?
Carbone’s spicy rigatoni is renowned for its delicious flavor and is considered by many to be a top-notch dish.
What Is The Best Pasta For Vodka Sauce?
Penne or rigatoni pasta is often recommended for vodka sauce due to their ability to hold the creamy sauce well. However, personal preference plays a significant role in choosing the best pasta.
Can vodka sauce get you drunk?
Can you taste the vodka in vodka pasta sauce?
No, because the alcohol tends to evaporate during cooking, vodka sauce usually doesn’t contain enough alcohol to get you wasted.
Is There Any Vodka Taste in the Pasta Sauce?
The main purpose of the vodka in vodka pasta sauce is to improve the overall flavor and creaminess of the sauce; it normally doesn’t taste alcoholic.
Can Kids Have Vodka Sauce?
Vodka sauce is generally safe for kids to consume, as the alcohol content is minimal after cooking. However, it’s advisable to use your discretion, and some recipes omit the vodka for child-friendly versions.
Why is my vodka sauce bitter?
Should Penne Alla Vodka Taste Like Vodka?
Penne alla vodka should not have a strong vodka taste; instead, the vodka contributes to the sauce’s complexity and creaminess without being the dominant flavor.
Why Is My Vodka Sauce Bitter?
A bitter vodka sauce could be due to overcooking or using poor-quality vodka. It’s crucial to cook vodka sauce just until the alcohol evaporates and to use a decent-quality vodka for the best results.
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