If you’re looking for a surprising twist to a kitchen classic, with a touch of glamor, this could be the one.
Vodka pasta? You’ll love this recipe made famous by fashion model Gigi Hadid
What do you get when an American supermodel borrows a Russian spirit to reinvent an Italian classic? No, it’s not the start of an internationally stereotypical joke. It’s simply one of the internet’s latest viral recipes: Gigi Hadid’s spicy vodka pasta.
The model‘s homemade pasta sauce was shared on social media, complete with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions. Fans quickly got cooking, and before long the recipe was appearing everywhere from TikTok feeds to dinner tables around the world.
What makes Gigi Hadid’s vodka pasta so popular?
Part of the appeal is that the recipe feels fancy without requiring much effort. The sauce combines olive oil, garlic, shallots, tomato paste, cream, chili flakes, Parmesan cheese, butter and a splash of vodka. The result is a rich, silky pasta dish with just enough heat to keep things interesting.
Even better, the ingredients are easy to find – assuming you’re of an age to buy liquor, or have access to your parent’s special cabinet – and the whole recipe comes together in around 30 minutes.
How to make Gigi’s vodka pasta
The process starts by gently cooking garlic and shallots in olive oil before adding tomato paste and allowing it to caramelize. A tablespoon of vodka is then stirred in, followed by cream and red pepper flakes, creating the sauce’s signature pink-orange color.
Can you make vodka pasta without vodka?
Yes. In fact, It’s been noted that the recipe can still work perfectly well without the alcohol. The vodka adds a little extra depth of flavor, but many home cooks simply leave it out.
Once the sauce is ready, cooked pasta is tossed through it along with a splash of reserved pasta water, butter and Parmesan cheese. A final garnish of basil and extra cheese finishes the dish.
The verdict from countless home cooks I’ve seen on various platforms has been overwhelmingly positive. Creamy, comforting and packed with cross-country flavor.
Sometimes globalization tastes pretty good.
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