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Love at First Bite Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 114 reviews

Love at First Bite Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring a rich tomato and vodka sauce enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. This recipe combines sautéed vegetables, aromatic garlic, and Calabrian chilies for a subtle heat, balanced by fresh basil ribbons. It’s a comforting Italian-inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion (finely diced)
  • 1 Carrot (peeled and finely diced)
  • 3 Garlic Cloves (finely minced)
  • 3/4 cup Vodka (or chicken broth)
  • 1 (28-ounce) can Whole Tomatoes (or crushed)
  • 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated, divided)
  • 6 to 8 Basil Leaves (ribbons)
  • 1 Tablespoon Crushed Calabrian Chilies (optional)

Pasta

  • 1 lb. Pasta (of choice)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the aromatics: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the finely diced onion and carrot, sautéing for 8-10 minutes until softened. Then add minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute to develop flavor.
  2. Deglaze with vodka or broth: Pour in the vodka (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes so the alcohol cooks off and the flavors meld.
  3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Add tomatoes and simmer the sauce: Stir in the whole tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken and develop flavors.
  5. Blend the sauce (optional): For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the sauce carefully to a blender. Blend until smooth, but exercise caution as the sauce is hot.
  6. Finish the sauce: Return the sauce to heat if needed. Stir in heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, saving the rest for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
  7. Toss pasta with sauce and serve: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and gently toss to combine. Serve topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese, fresh basil ribbons, and crushed Calabrian chilies if using for extra spice.

Notes

  • You can substitute vodka with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Using crushed tomatoes instead of whole tomatoes will save time, but the sauce may have a slightly different texture.
  • Immersion blending creates a smoother sauce, but some may prefer the chunky texture—blend based on preference.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes and Calabrian chilies according to spice tolerance.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan tastes better than pre-grated varieties for both the sauce and garnish.

Keywords: Creamy vodka pasta, tomato cream sauce, Italian pasta recipe, vodka sauce pasta, easy pasta dinner

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/love-at-first-bite-pasta-recipe/