Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe (with and without vodka): Tender pasta coated in a rich tomato cream sauce make this Gigi Hadid pasta recipe a truly satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Love pasta dishes? You might love this spicy sausage pasta as well.
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Gigi Hadid's Viral Spicy Vodka Pasta
Model Gigi Hadid posted a recipe for creamy vodka sauce on her Instagram stories in the year 2019, and it completely blew up, like those viral recipes on the internet.
Even though the original pasta alla vodka has been around forever, all of a sudden, people from far and wide started making this simple and delicious pasta dish.
Bon Appetit magazine tells us that the recipe was featured worldwide on different news channels, and versions of the Gigi Hadid spicy vodka pasta recipe started appearing on TikTok.
Gigi Hadid's pasta recipe has vodka, which I haven't included, but you can add a tablespoon. With vodka or without vodka, I'm sure you'll agree this pasta recipe is a keeper, a true restaurant-style dish you can whip up conveniently at home.
Super easy to prepare with simple ingredients, you can get this dish on the table in less than 30 minutes for a comforting dinner the whole family will love. I guarantee it will become your new favorite pasta dish and one of your favorite weeknight meals.
Ingredients You'll Need
Penne pasta: I like penne pasta for this recipe, but any short pasta shape like rigatoni, fusilli, farfalle, or small shell pasta are all good for this creamy sauce. White pasta or whole wheat pasta both work well.
Olive oil: I prefer extra virgin, but any kind of olive oil will work.
Butter: adds richness and flavor to the pasta sauce.
Onion: A small, finely chopped onion is used in this pasta recipe. You can use red, white or any type of onion you've got on hand.
Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves, minced, for the best flavor.
Tomato paste: for the thick, smooth consistency and the rich, intense tomato flavor. Use a good quality tomato paste.
Red chili flakes: dried and crushed red chili peppers add a spicy kick. Use more or less as per your spice tolerance.
Sugar: A touch of white sugar to balance the flavor.
I forgot to include sugar while photographing the ingredients, but make sure you are adding it in. It helps to balance out the sour taste of tomatoes.
Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning adds more flavor, but you can also use individual spices: oregano, basil, and thyme.
Salt: Add sea salt, table salt or kosher salt to taste.
Ground black pepper: freshly ground pepper for the best flavor.
Heavy cream: Use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream for an irresistible velvety texture.
Parmesan cheese: melt into the pasta, adding a layer of flavor. Use freshly grated for the best result.
Basil leaves: Fresh, chopped basil leaves add a pop of color and enhance the flavor.
How to make Gigi Hadid Pasta
Preparing the pasta:
- Add pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water. Follow the package instructions, making sure to cook the pasta al dente. You don't want the pasta to get too soft.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water to use later in the sauce and drain the pasta.
Preparing the sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until they start to give off an aroma.
- Add in red chili flakes and stir for a couple of seconds.
- Add tomato paste and stir for about 2 minutes. You can add 1 tablespoon of vodka at this point (if using) and stir for another minute.
- Add the reserved pasta water and bring it to a boil.
- Add the salt, sugar, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Combining the pasta and sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to mix. Mix in freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves, then turn off the flame.
Serving
- Serve with extra parmesan cheese, if desired and enjoy your delicious Gigi Hadid-inspired meal!
Substitutions and Variations
- Add your favorite vegetables or proteins to the sauce. Chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage links and vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or red bell peppers would all go nicely in the sauce. Just make sure to sauté them first.
- Gigi Hadid used shell pasta, but any pasta shape will work. Try macaroni, rigatoni, or orecchiette.
- Instead of Parmesan cheese, try Asiago or Grana Padano.
- Try olive oil from a jar of sundried tomatoes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The great thing about this pasta recipe is that you can add as much or as little spice as you'd like, so it doesn't have to be spicy at all.
Gigi Hadid's pasta recipe is rich, meaning it is high in fat, but indulging occasionally is okay. Given that her recipe is homemade, it is most likely healthier than a jarred sauce you get at the grocery store.
If you've run out of tomato paste, you can substitute passata or crushed tomatoes. Your sauce may not be as thick, but it will still taste great.
You can also make your own paste from scratch. Blanch, peel, and puree 2-3 ripe tomatoes, or use 1 cup tomato puree. When cooking, make sure to simmer the puree until it reduces to ⅓ its original amount. This might take a bit longer to cook, but it's important for the right consistency.
You can definitely make this pasta sauce without cream, though it will not be as rich. If you want to cut down on the sauce's richness, you can use half and half instead of heavy cream.
Recipe Tips
- Don't skip the salt in the pasta cooking water, as it enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- If you prefer an extra spicy cream sauce, add more chili flakes. Alternatively cut it out altogether for a non-spicier version or when serving to small kids.
- Thin out the sauce if it's a little thicker by adding a splash of pasta water or broth.
What to serve with this pasta
- This pasta dish can be a meal on its own with a side salad and some vegetables.
- You can serve this pasta with garlic bread, bruschetta, or breadsticks for soaking up any leftover sauce.
Leftovers and Storing Suggestions
Leftover pasta and sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
When reheating, add a splash of water or broth and gently warm the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, occasionally stirring until heated.
I don't recommend freezing as the cream in the sauce may separate and affect the texture when thawed.
You may also like these
- Buffalo Wild Wings Garlic Parmesan Sauce recipe
- Copycat McDonalds Pancake Recipe
- Spicy Sausage Pasta Recipe
If you try the recipe, please take a moment to leave a comment and rating. I love hearing from you and it also helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.
Recipe
Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe (with and without vodka)
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 4 ounces or 1 cup penne pasta uncooked
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 small size onion finely chopped
- 4-5 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon sugar to balance the flavor
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ground black pepper to taste
- salt to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2-3 basil leaves freshly chooped
Instructions
Preparing the pasta
- Add pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water. Follow the package instructions, making sure to cook the pasta al dente. You don't want the pasta to get too soft.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water to use later in the sauce and drain the pasta.
Preparing the sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until they start to give off an aroma.
- Add in red chili flakes and stir for a couple of seconds.
- Add tomato paste and stir for about 2 minutes. You can add 1 tablespoon of vodka at this point (if using) and stir for another minute.
- Add the reserved pasta water and bring it to a boil.
- Add the salt, sugar, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Mix in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Combining the pasta and sauce
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to mix. Mix in freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves, then turn off the flame.
Serving
- Serve with extra parmesan cheese, if desired and enjoy your delicious Gigi Hadid-inspired meal!
Notes
- Don't skip the salt in the pasta cooking water, as it enhances the flavor of the pasta.
- If you prefer an extra spicy cream sauce, add more chili flakes. Alternatively cut it out altogether for a non-spicier version or when serving to small kids.
- Thin out the sauce if it's a little thicker by adding a splash of pasta water or broth.
Century Foods
Delicious and easy. I warmed it up in the morning and had a great breakfast!