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This silky, smooth and extra creamy Spicy Pesto Pasta Alla Vodka is the perfect cozy winter recipe we need most. Fresh pasta tossed in a spicy tomato pesto vodka sauce that’s creamy and so delicious! The secret to this one-pot pasta? Basil pesto and plenty of cheese on top. The pesto adds a vibrant layer of flavor and richness to this silky, smooth, and creamy pasta. Serve this 30-minute 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. This dish will be your new go-to when serving family and friends over the holidays.
We’ve made it to Thursday, and this week, that means creamy spicy pesto pasta alla vodka for dinner. Like clockwork every December I begin thinking about my family’s favorite vodka pasta. I have made so many versions over the years, but this recipe is my favorite. It’s more classic, but with the small twist of basil pesto, which of course only makes this vodka pasta that much more delicious.
I don’t know what it is about December days, but they always leave me craving some form of pasta in red sauce. I have to say, this pasta alla vodka feels like the most fitting December recipe. Not only for its simplicity and deliciousness, but the pretty red and green colors feel extra festive. Perfect for this time of year.
I know, I know, there she goes again with all the holiday talk. But I’m really grabbing onto anything and everything that adds even just a little holiday happiness into the world this year! And pasta always makes everything better. Especially a creamy vodka pasta.
The vodka adds a sharp bite that helps to balance out the sweetness of the tomatoes. When used in small amounts, the vodka will boost and intensify the aroma of the sauce. The key is to slowly simmer vodka into the sauce. This will release its flavors and cook out the alcohol.
If you prefer to not cook with alcohol, swap the vodka for chicken broth, vegetable broth, or even just water. That will be totally fine and your sauce will still be great.
This pasta is simple. I didn’t go over the top with it but instead wanted to really focus on the traditional flavors of a great vodka pasta…garlic, tomatoes, and cream. The key is to slowly cook the garlic in oil. I learned this trick when I first started cooking from a friend of our family’s, Mrs. Mooney, as I called her, and actually still call her to this day.
She’d make this dish simply called penne pasta. It was always a favorite. Thinking back on it, it’s actually really similar to an alla vodka style pasta sauce.
Mrs. Mooney taught me to slowly caramelize garlic in olive oil to really infuse flavor into a recipe, especially within an Italian-style red sauce. So, don’t skip this step! Once the garlic is extra fragrant and turns golden, I like to stir in the tomato paste and chili flakes. Then cook those for a bit to really help intensify the flavors in the sauce.
Once that’s cooked for a bit, stir in lots of cream. Then let the sauce simmer while you boil the pasta.
For the pasta, I just used short cut rigatoni (to be honest, it’s really the best kind of short cut pasta I can find in my area). But use any short cut pasta you love or have on hand.
You’ll want to first boil off the pasta, then just before draining reserve some of the pasta cooking water. This step is so important, so be sure to not dump the water before reserving a cup. The pasta water is used to finish the creamy vodka sauce.
Now add in some of the pasta cooking water and simmer the sauce until it has reduced down a bit and thickened. At this point, your kitchen is going to smell amazing. There should be hints of garlic and butter throughout…it’s the best of Italian scents.
Once the pasta is cooked, toss it with the sauce and that pasta water. Add some butter and toss until the sauce is very creamy. Stir in the parmesan and basil. Immediately the heat from the pasta intensifies the smell of the basil…leaving you with nothing but excitement for dinner.
And trust me, you should be excited. Every bowl of pasta is creamy, just oh so slightly spicy, with a subtle pesto touch, and just the right amount of butter and cheese.
It’s is so very good. Roll your eyes back, go for that second bowl, and finish the pasta all in one sitting, GOOD. Dramatic, but true.
Perfect dinner to serve up this holiday season, even if it’s just the two of you this year! The leftovers are just as delicious! You can prepare the dish in advance, keep it fully assembled in the fridge, and then bake before serving. I love dishes like this for holiday entertaining…they make life so easy!
You can even prepare the sauce way ahead of time, then just add the pasta before you’re ready to serve. This would make a great dinner party meal with a side salad and some bread. Usually, I keep it simple with my 5 Ingredient Beer Bread or Salted Butter Parker House Rolls. But when the whole family is in town for December, I’ll bake this Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath. Either way (or day) you serve this pasta up, it’s going to be good. It’s one of those pasta dishes that’s easily loved by all.
Looking for other simple winter pasta dishes? Here are my favorites:
4 Cheese Sage Pesto Florentine Lasagna
One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Pesto 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!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I am obsessed! Making it again tonight for a party! Absolutely delicious !
Hi Amy,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have the best weekend!☀️ xx
I love pasta dishes and found myself spending so much money on restaurants that I needed another option that was not breaking my bank. I found this recipe and I honestly want to make it every week! It is simple, easy and delicious.
My sister, boyfriend and roommate had a bowl and they wanted me to make it the following week (which I did). I am so excited to have a new go-to recipe!
Hey Milan,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Hi Tieghan ! How would you adjust the recipe if you were omitting the pesto? Thank you so much!
Hey Nicolette,
You can just follow the recipe as is without the pesto. You might also like this recipe:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cherry-tomato-pasta-alla-vodka/
Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Made this for my girlfriends one night with your crusty bread from Super Simple … it was a good thing I made two loaves. I even doubled this recipe and only had a very small serving leftover. Perfect amount of spice and flavor.
It’s a family fave over here, glad you enjoyed the recipe too!
This was delicious! It will be definitely made again and again and again??
Hey Lisa,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
This is Soooooo good! Thank you so much for such a simple yet thoroughly delicious pasta dish. Everyone loved it!
Hey Becki,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
This dish is just insanely delicious. The kind of meal where you keep going back for seconds and thirds! My family absolutely loves it.
Hey Sam,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it! ☘️xx
I’ve made this recipe several times and absolutely love it! I’d like to try adding protein when I make it next. Is there one you’d recommend, aside from chicken? Would sausage or guanciale/pancetta work?
Ah! Nevermind 🙂 I just read through several of your replies below. Can’t wait to try it out with crumbled sausage!!
Hope you love it!
Hey Taryn,
So glad you have been enjoying the recipe!! Totally, any of those proteins would be great here! Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made this for dinner exactly as the recipe stated & it was delicious! Everyone loved it and asked for more. I cooked the pasta Al dente which definitely adds to the overall deliciousness!
Hey Liz,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xx
Yum as. Recommend making…the vodka is such a unique twist that is delicious!!
Hi Danelle,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! xx
This recipe is fantastic and was thoroughly enjoyed by the whole family. I have never tried an alla vodka sauce before and will definitely be adding this into the weekly rotation. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Kim,
Happy Wednesday!! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! xT
My favourite thing. So good, I can’t believe I made it and it wasn’t take out. Freezes great. Can’t wait to make again!
Hi Katie,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xx
Another winner!! Entire family loved this recipe. Agree, so easy and so delicious.
Hi Kim,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xx
As always, this recipe was perfection. Super easy to make, delicious with just the right hit of heat. First time making a dish with short cut pasta but it did not disappoint. Going to remember this next time I want to impress someone for date night ??. So good.
Hey Kate,
Wonderful!! Love to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for giving it a go:) xTieghan
Made this as an impromptu Sunday family dinner to close out a weekend visit with my sisters and their families after seeing it on your IG reels. Omitted the red pepper flakes to accommodate all tastes. It was so easy but so delicious! ?
Hi Susan,
Awesome!! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week:) xx