Next up in my ORZO RECIPE SERIES PART 3 is Orzo alla Vodka! And in case you missed the first recipe from the series: Italian Wedding Soup Orzo – here!
One thing about me is I LOVE vodka sauce. If you don’t believe me then just check out how many vodka sauce recipes I have made on this blog:
- Gochujang Vodka Pasta
- Pepperoni Vodka Sauce Sliders
- Tortellini alla Vodka Soup
- Meatball Subs with Vodka Sauce and Burrata
- Sun-Dried Tomato & Broccolini Vodka Pasta
- Double Vodka Sauce Pasta
- Pasta alla Vodka (fancy version)
One other thing about me is that I LOVE orzo pasta! So it really only made sense to combine two of my favorite things – vodka sauce & orzo – into one delicious dish. This recipe is a perfect blend of savory, spicy, sweet, and creamy. Let me show you how I made it!
Orzo alla Vodka Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Shallot diced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Calabrian Chili Paste more or less based on spice preference; or substitute desired amount of red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 cup Orzo uncooked
- 1/4 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Tomato Passata can substitute crushed tomatoes
- 1.5 cups Water add more as needed
- 1/4 tsp Sugar optional
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated; more to serve
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream more or less based on desired creaminess
- Fresh Basil optional; to serve
- Burrata Cheese optional; to serve
Recipe Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large high-rimmed pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Mix in the Calabrian chlili paste and tomato paste. Season with about 1/4 tsp salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Let the tomato paste darken in color for about 4 minutes.
- Add the uncooked orzo. Stir to combine and toast for 1 minute. Pour in the vodka to deglaze the pan. Scrape any stuck bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let the liquid cook off for a couple minutes.
- Pour in the tomato passata and water. Stir to combine then season with another 1/4 tsp of salt, a few more cracks of black pepper, and optionally a pinch of sugar (or to taste).
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring every few minutes so the orzo doesn’t stick. Add additional water as needed if the liquid absorbs before the orzo is cooked through. This can take about 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined.
- Divide among bowls to serve. Optionally top with additional parmesan cheese, fresh basil, burrata cheese, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Did you try this Orzo alla Vodka recipe? Leave a Review!
This Orzo alla Vodka recipe is a risotto-like pasta dish. It’s extra saucy and has just the right amount of creaminess to offset the spice of the Calabrian chilies and sweetness of the tomato paste/passata.
The toppings are optional, but as always, I highly recommend! I even used truffle burrata when I made this dish and it added another incredible layer of flavor.
If you try this recipe, feel free to rate/leave a review. You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok!
Orzo alla Vodka
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Shallot diced
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Calabrian Chili Paste more or less based on spice preference; or substitute desired amount of red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 1 cup Orzo uncooked
- 1/4 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Tomato Passata can substitute crushed tomatoes
- 1.5 cups Water add more as needed
- 1/4 tsp Sugar optional
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated; more to serve
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream more or less based on desired creaminess
- Fresh Basil optional; to serve
- Burrata Cheese optional; to serve
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large high-rimmed pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often.
- Mix in the Calabrian chlili paste and tomato paste. Season with about 1/4 tsp salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Let the tomato paste darken in color for about 4 minutes.
- Add the uncooked orzo. Stir to combine and toast for 1 minute. Pour in the vodka to deglaze the pan. Scrape any stuck bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Let the liquid cook off for a couple minutes.
- Pour in the tomato passata and water. Stir to combine then season with another 1/4 tsp of salt, a few more cracks of black pepper, and optionally a pinch of sugar (or to taste).
- Bring to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook, stirring every few minutes so the orzo doesn't stick. Add additional water as needed if the liquid absorbs before the orzo is cooked through. This can take about 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the parmesan cheese. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined.
- Divide among bowls to serve. Optionally top with additional parmesan cheese, fresh basil, burrata cheese, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Video
@carolbeecooks Moving on to recipe 2 in my Orzo Series Part 3: Orzo alla Vodka ❤️🔥 A creamy, spicy, and tomatoey one pan dish. I highly recommend topping with burrata ☁️ #orzo #orzoseries #vodkasauce #allavodka #onepanmeal #pasta #burrata #carolbeecooks
♬ Grammarg – BLVKSHP
