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This colorful and extra creamy Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka is the perfect summer twist on a classic Italian pasta. Fresh pasta tossed in a spicy cherry tomato vodka sauce that’s creamy and so delicious! The secret to this one pot pasta…sweet summer cherry tomatoes, plenty of basil, and lots of cheese on top. The fresh tomatoes add a vibrant layer of flavor and richness to this simple pasta. Serve this family style dinner up any night of the week. It’s delicious and looks pretty on any table…not to mention that everyone LOVES a GOOD creamy vodka pasta.
Hey there, hoping everyone’s weekend was amazing and filled with fun, late summer activities, and some very delicious food. We had a pretty laid back weekend with family in town. I cooked a lot, did some online shopping damage, wrote a crazy long Nine Favorite Things post, and thought about how excited I am to be able to tell you about this pasta today.
This is the summer pasta alla vodka recipe we all really need. Its inspiration came from a very unexpected source – Asher. She asked me if I could make pasta alla vodka for dinner one night soon. And while at first I said no, alla vodka is such a fall/winter recipe, I started to think, “what if we made it summery?”.
And that’s just what I did, and here we are. Cherry tomato pasta alla vodka…inspired by Asher but loved and happily consumed by all.
The details are simple – first the tomatoes
For this alla vodka you’ll need lots of cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are my favorite, but especially in the summertime. They’re juicy, sweet, and always so full of flavor. It’s rare when you get a bad one.
Since I love their sweet flavor so much, I knew they’d be great to use in this pasta.
I’d recommend using mostly red cherry tomatoes for a nicely colored sauce, but colored tomatoes work well too.
To make the sauce
Just like a traditional vodka sauce, this sauce is really, really easy, and essentially just a one skillet recipe.
Start by cooking the shallots until soft, then toss in the tomatoes, lots of garlic, fresh oregano, and plenty of chili flakes to give it some kick. You’ll want to cook the tomatoes over a high heat until they burst. Once the tomatoes burst, let them cook until they almost start to stick to the bottom of the pan. This will intensive the flavors of the tomatoes.
Now that the tomatoes are saucy, I like to puree about half them in a blender to create a smooth sauce. You can skip this if you prefer, but I love the creaminess of a mostly pureed sauce.
At this point, it’s time to add the vodka and finish things up.
The final touches
While the sauce is cooking boil off the pasta. When the sauce is ready, toss the pasta with the sauce along with a few pats of butter, parmesan cheese, and basil.
Stir until creamy. Immediately serve the pasta hot off the stove with plenty of extra parmesan and basil on top.
A little lemon would be delicious too!
Asher was lucky enough to eat this hot off the stove and her honest verdict? “Delicious, really, really good, can I have another bowl?”.
If you follow along on Instagram, you know that Asher does not sugarcoat a thing. If she loves something, she LOVES it. And if she doesn’t love something, well, she’s going to tell you the cold hard truth.
Fortunately for all of us, this turned out so very good. Like roll your eyes back, go for that second bowl, and finish the pasta all in one sitting, GOOD. Dramatic, but true.
Every bowl of this pasta is creamy, just oh so slightly spicy, with a subtle touch of basil, and just the right amount of butter and cheese.
This would make a great dinner party meal with a side salad and some bread. I usually keep it simple with something like my 5 Ingredient Beer Bread or Salted Butter Parker House Rolls.
Looking for other cherry tomato recipes, try these:
Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi with Sage Butter and Cherry Tomatoes
Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata + Toast
Lastly, if you make this Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 486 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
- 1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 cups cherry tomatoes, halved if large
- 1/2 cup vodka
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with sides over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until the shallots begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, tomatoes, and chili flakes. Cook 8-10 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and begin to stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat. Blend about half the tomatoes in a blender until smooth, stir the tomato sauce back into the skillet.2. Place the skillet over medium heat. Stir in the vodka, cook 2 minutes, then stir in the cream. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta according to package directions, until al dente. Drain.4. Add the pasta, butter, parmesan, and basil to the sauce, tossing until the butter has melted. 5. Divide the pasta among plates and top with basil and cheese. Enjoy!
Oh wow! Amazing!!! This was absolutely to die for!!
So pretty, so flavorful, so good! Perfect recipe for all the homegrown summer tomatoes!
Hi Melanie,
Thanks a lot for trying this recipe out and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Buen dia, solo de ver la imagen se me hace agua la boca tiene que ser un espectáculo hacerla y degustarla. Gracias por tus multiples recetas son increibles. Muchos saludos.
Made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious! No notes! Every single recipe I make of Tieghan’s turns out incredible.
Hey Claire,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it was tasty!🌼
This was so delicious! My son requested pasta with a vodka sauce for dinner and I came straight to your website. Definitely did not disappoint and a great recipe for all of the fresh basil that I’ve grown. I served it with roasted garlic shrimp. Thanks for creating a winner that I will keep in rotation!
Hey Felicia,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making this recipe, I am so glad it was a winner! Happy Thursday! xx
This was so yummy!!!! Entire family loved it and so simple.
Hi Lynn!
Happy Sunday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner:)
Made this for dinner tonight. Delicious ❤️❤️❤️
Hey Joan,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks for sharing your feedback and making this recipe, I am so glad it was a hit! Happy 4th of July!🇺🇸
This was goooooood! Very elegant and delicious, and pretty darned easy – and FUN to make. Looking forward to when tomatoes come in season with the fresh basil – so delicious! I halved the recipe since it was only two of us vs. normal four and because I didn’t have enough tomatoes for a whole batch – bummer because it would have been divine left over, too! I’m thinking this would be fantastic with your Sun-dried Tomato and Ricotta Turkey meatballs, another favorite! https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/sun-dried-tomato-and-ricotta-turkey-meatballs/
Hey Shelley,
Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! I think that would be a great idea:) xx
Can the vodka sauce be made ahead of time the same day it is being served??
Hey Penny,
Totally, that would be just fine for you to do! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
I added crumbled spicy Italian sausage and it has become a requested dish from my SO. Very easy dish and full of flavor.
Hey Stacy,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best week:) xxT
Delicious! Perfect sauce for the upcoming summer cherry tomatoes. I tasted the sauce after blending and it was amazing. Next time I think I will consider skipping the cream all together for a lighter, more summery take.
Hey there,
Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
So tasty! I like this elevation of making a regular red sauce or a la vodka, especially for Spring. You’re the person who taught me I can use coconut milk and I’m sold! Will make again.
Hey Nina,
Fantastic!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! 💕Tieghan
Absolutely delicious! Made it to brighten up a gloomy day and it is 10/10
Hey Shauna,
Happy Friday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xx
Thought the spicy vodka with penne one was my fav recipe, but this one for sure topped it!
Hey Mitch,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
Hello! This recipe looks awesome. What pasta is shown in these pictures/where is it from, it looks great!
Hey Max,
I used Delallo brand pasta. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would it work to use sour cream if I dont have heavy cream on hand?
Hi there,
I would use milk if you have that on hand. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan