Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

The viral Gigi Hadid Pasta also known as Spicy Vodka Pasta, is an absolute flavor bomb! It has a rich tomato sauce that's spicy and creamy and so delicious! It can be made with or without vodka, here I've also made it healthier without heavy cream.

Gigi Hadid's spicy vodka pasta recipe went viral for a reason, it's definitely worth the hype! It's now well known as the Gigi Hadid Pasta as she shared her take on the recipe on instagram stories in 2020. Her video went viral, hence the new nickname for it.

Once you try it, you’ll see why it's so popular. It's full of flavor with a rich bold sauce that all comes together in 30 minutes! This makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner without slaving in the kitchen for hours, making the ultimate comfort food.

This Gigi Hadid Pasta recipe is the perfect combination of creamy and spicy that makes you want more with every bite! Whilst the traditional recipe is made with vodka in the sauce, as per its title, it can totally be made without the vodka. I have noted a few simple substitutes that can be used, and don't worry, it's still absolutely scrumptious! Some other quick under 30 minute pasta recipes to try are my pasta with peas, cherry tomato pasta and broccoli pasta.

In my spicy vodka sauce, I've also made a homemade cashew cream rather than using heavy cream which is in the traditional recipe. It's so easy to make and is lighter, healthier and dairy-free. You can totally make it a vegan vodka pasta sauce with one change of switching the parmesan for a vegan parmesan substitute or simply omitting the cheese. Its that simple!

Even though spicy vodka pasta has recently become more widespread after Gigi Hadid's video, it has been around for quite a while. Whilst it's not technically a traditional Italian dish, there are claims that it was invented in Italy back in the 1970’s.  Despite this, it's not a dish you will find in restaurants in Italy. It's more of an Italian-American pasta dish and quite popular throughout the United States. It can be also called Penne alla Vodka and can be found in well known restaurants such as Carbone and the Cheesecake Factory. Sometimes also with added protein such as chicken or shrimp too.

Table of Contents

• Why you’ll love this recipe
• Ingredients and Substitutions
• How to make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)
• Tips and Tricks
• Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• More Quick Pastas
• Recipe
• Comments

Why you’ll love this recipe

1. Flavor bomb: The combination of a rich tomato sauce, being creamy and spicy makes you want more with every bite!
2. Quick and easy: This dish comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients, making it great for busy weeknights or a last-minute dinner party
3. Customizable: Adjust the spice to your desired heat level. I’ve also made my own cashew cream rather than using heavy cream, vegan parmesan is also a good substitute
4. Alcohol free option: You can make this recipe with or without the vodka with my simple substitutes

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Short Pasta is typical for this recipe. Rigatoni and Penne pasta are the most common, but you can really use any pasta you like. Shell pasta, gnocchetti, orecchiette, fregola or even gluten free pasta will work
• Vodka (optional) gives some acidity and helps balance out the spice and cream. Most of the alcohol evaporates during cooking, substitute with white wine if you don't have vodka. Alcohol-free substitutes are vegetable broth or water with a squeeze of lemon juice for some acidity
• Tomato Paste also known as concentrated tomato sauce is in base to make the rich sauce. It's important to cook the paste down well which will release its bold flavor and rich color. Tomato puree or passata is a substitute, but you will have to cook it down for some time to thicken up and become concentrated
• Cashew nuts are soaked and then blended to make homemade cashew cream. It's much lighter and dairy free, but still creates the perfect creamy sauce base. You can also use coconut milk or heavy cream for the traditional version
• Red pepper flakes for the spice! You can adjust the amount to your desired spice level. Substitute with fresh chili peppers or chili powder, the amounts may differ though 
• Parmesan cheese adds a salty, cheesy depth and adds to the creaminess. Pecorino Romano is a good alternative or you can use vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast to make it plant-based
• Extra virgin olive oil for sautéing and also a drizzle towards the end of the cook. Unsalted Butter is typical for this recipe, but I personally prefer olive oil
• Brown onion and garlic are sautéed for the base of the sauce for aromatic depth and sweetness. Substitute with shallots, yellow onion or red onion

How to make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

Make the viral Gigi Hadrid Pasta in no time at all. Follow my simple steps below.

1. Soak cashews in boiling water for 20 minutes
2. Sauté onion in 1 tablespoon of olive oil with a pinch of salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. When onions are translucent, add garlic, red pepper flakes and sauté for a minute 
3. Add tomato paste and a tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté for 5-8 minutes. If needed, add a splash of water so it doesn't burn
4. Add the vodka or substitute to the pan, and cook down until mostly absorbed (typically a couple of minutes)

5. Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente (3 minutes under the cooking package instructions). Ensure to reserve some pasta water 
6. Drain cashews and blend with ½ cup of warm water
7. Add cashew cream to the pan with a ladle of pasta water. Season, taste and adjust to your preferred spice level
8. Add cooked pasta, parmesan cheese, torn up basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Add a ladle of pasta water then cook for couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. It's ready to serve!

Tips and Tricks

1. Ensure to cook down the tomato paste for at least 5 minutes until it releases its beautiful bold rich color and depth. Not doing so will taste like a raw sauce
2. No vodka, no worries! With my simple substitutes, you can make it with or without the vodka, or also alcohol-free
3. Always reserve some pasta water! It's super important in this recipe to help create a silky smooth sauce
4. Cook the pasta under the package instructions. This way you allow it to finish cooking in the sauce which gives it a much better flavor 
5. Saute the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes on a low heat as they can burn easily. You can also add a small splash of water if needed

Storage Instructions

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce to a creamy texture
• Freezing isn't recommended for the entire dish.  However, you can totally freeze the sauce in an airtight container for a month. Cook the pasta fresh, then add the thawed vodka sauce when ready to serve 

FAQs

More Quick Pastas

• Broccoli Pasta
• Pasta with Peas
• Super Green Pasta (Sneaky Veggies)
• Burrata Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Pasta
• Mushroom Carbonara
• Baked Feta Pasta
• Cherry Tomato Pasta
• Miso Pasta

I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share a photo of your Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta) on Instagram so I can share the love.

Recipe