The Best Vodka Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes vodka sauce better? ›

In a vodka sauce, the vodka helps maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the creaminess to meld with the tomato base. And sure, you could use wine to the same effect, but in a sauce as rich as vodka sauce, it's better to use a small amount of alcohol that will impart as little of its own flavor as possible.

Normally it includes real cream for richness but I'm using reduced-fat milk. Great news though, it still retains the decadent flavor of a regular recipe but with a fraction of the fat and calories. In addition, I've placed it over fiber rich whole wheat penne instead of white pasta.

Vodka sauce is a tomato-based sauce that's spiked with a hint of vodka for extra tanginess, then softened with a splash of heavy cream that gives the sauce a gorgeous reddish-orange color.

When you are making a vodka sauce for your pasta, break open a less expensive bottle of Smirnoff or Finladia grapefruit vodka. These more budget-friendly options will work just as well and no one will be able to tell the difference!

Adding certain mixers to cheap vodka can cut its burn or hide its low quality flavor. Common mixers include sour mix, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemonade, and cola.

If you want to fix thin vodka sauce without altering the flavor, you can add some tomato paste. This will help thicken the sauce while maintaining its flavor. You can also add some grated cheese, such as Parmesan, which will not only thicken the sauce but also add some depth of flavor.

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

Chicken and Italian food are a match made in culinary heaven. The creaminess of the vodka sauce and the richness of the tomatoes is the perfect complement to any chicken dish.

This happens when there's too much fat or liquid in the mixture. This can happen when there are not enough emulsifiers (which help keep your ingredients together). Sauces are usually made from multiple ingredients that include both oil and water. Oils and water will naturally separate.

Vodka Sauce is great with Penne Ziti, but you can create a much more elaborate pasta creation with hot or sweet Italian sausage, classic meatballs or mini meatballs or chicken. The dish of pasta and sauce can be complemented with a leafy green salad, roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, garlic bread and more.

What pairs with vodka sauce? ›

Is it absolutely necessary? No, but vodka sauce just wouldn't be, well, vodka sauce without it. To get a vodka sauce with a 2% ABV before simmering, you'll need to add 5% of the volume of the sauce in 80-proof vodka.

Most recipes call for penne, and it's an option here, but at Serious Eats we love this sauce even more with rigatoni.

Smirnoff Vodka 100 PF: When it comes to Smirnoff Vodka, quality meets cost. Smirnoff Vodka 100 PF is neutral, smooth, and top-notch. The spirit's neutral flavor makes it suitable for cooking because it won't overpower your food's flavors, and the smooth finish won't give the dish any strong or harsh undertones.

They are very similar actually. Rather than vodka, we'll use white wine (or chicken broth) here for depth of flavor and a velvety texture. I also use some different spices in my vodka sauce recipe, but other than that, there isn't a whole lot of difference between the two.

Taste the sauce once it's warm and add some seasoning. Maybe it needs a touch of salt, red pepper flakes, or some fresh garlic to liven it up. You could add dried or fresh herbs too: oregano, basil, thyme, tarragon, parsley—they're all great!

Vodka does alter the flavor of the sauce in a pleasing way. It adds a touch of heat and a bit of a sharp bite that help balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes and the cream.

Production and Ingredients

Cheaper vodka brands also tend to make their vodka with lower quality substitutes, such as sugar beets. More expensive vodka is produced to have the perfect balance of starch and protein, resulting in a smoother, balanced flavor.