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If you’re a pasta enthusiast like me, you know that a delicious sauce can elevate a simple plate of pasta to new heights. Among the plethora of pasta sauces out there, my FAVORITE is vodka sauce. Vodka sauce is the perfect mix of salty, sweet, creamy, and a little spicy. While I make many versions of this sauce, I’m excited to share with you my quick and easy recipe that’s ready in 20 minutes. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a mouthwatering vodka sauce ready to serve with your favorite shape of pasta or on a meatball sandwich perhaps?

Vodka Sauce Ingredients

The star players include olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, vodka, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar. If you enjoy a bit of heat, feel free to sprinkle in some red pepper flakes to add a subtle kick. To serve, you can opt for freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some fresh basil.

1 tbsp Olive Oil
5 cloves Garlic – minced
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional; more or less based on spice preference
6 oz Tomato Paste
1/3 cup Vodka
Salt & Pepper – season to taste!
28 oz Crushed Tomatoes – I used a can of fire-roasted crushed tomatoes to add great extra flavor! Feel free to add some additional seasoning if you decide to use plain crushed tomatoes.
1/4 tsp Granulated Sugar
1 cup Heavy Cream
Basil, Parmesan Cheese – optional to serve

Recipe Instructions

Start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a high-rimmed pan or sauce pot over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the minced garlic and let it sizzle for about two minutes, to release that delicious flavor.
Now it’s time to add the tomato paste to the pan. Mix it well with the garlic, allowing it to darken in color for approximately 4-5 minutes. This step of caramelizing the tomato paste adds so much depth of flavor.
Pour in the vodka, and let it work its magic by deglazing the pan. With a wooden spoon, gently scrape any flavorful bits that might be stuck to the bottom. Allow the liquid to cook off for a couple of minutes. Feel free to use a splash of water or broth if you prefer to cook without alcoho.
Add the can of crushed tomatoes, followed by a pinch of sugar, salt, and pepper to enhance the taste. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. Once the sauce reaches a harmonious balance, turn off the heat and slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring until the sauce achieves a velvety consistency.
Now comes the exciting part—serving the vodka sauce! For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fragrant basil leaves.

Did you try this quick and easy vodka sauce? Leave a Review!

This creamy sauce is my absolute favorite, and I hope it becomes yours as well! Mix it into a batch of pasta, simmer some meatballs in the sauce, spoon onto pizza, or anything you can think of!

If you try this recipe, feel free to rate/leave a review. You can also tag me on Instagram or TikTok!