Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2003

Show: Emeril LiveEpisode: The World of Chili Peppers

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (19)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(19)

Cook Time:
--
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

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Ingredients

1 pound penne or ziti pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 (28-ounce) can peeled, crushed tomatoes, chopped, and their liquid
1/2 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes
3/4 cup Pepper Vodka, recipe follows
1/2 cup heavy cream
Chopped basil leaves, garnish
Finely grated pecorino cheese

Directions

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until just al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander, return to the pot, and cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the vodka and cook until reduced to about 3 to 4 tablespoons, about 3 minutes. Add the cream and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

Transfer to a large serving bowl and garnish with the basil and top with a sprinkling of the pecorino cheese.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Inactive Prep Time: 1 week

Pepper Vodka:

1 (750-ml) bottle best quality vodka

1 fresh red jalapeno or red Fresno pepper, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact

1 fresh green jalapeno pepper, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact

1 fresh Serrano or green cayenne pepper, slit in 1/2 lengthwise, stem left intact

2 cloves garlic, peeled

Pour out enough vodka from the bottle in order to make room for the peppers and reserve for another use. Carefully add the peppers and garlic to the vodka, pouring out more liquid if need be. Cap and let stand at room temperature until the vodka acquires the desired heat, about 1 week.

Serve, or remove the peppers and keep in the freezer.

Yield: about 3 1/4 cups

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
k lugoff, SC 01-16-2009
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Perfect!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I used Stoli pepper vodka and simmered the sauce for about 10 minutes before adding the cream so it was a bit thicker... I... also used fat-free half & half instead of heavy cream in an effort to keep the cholesterol down. Just the right amount of heat, excellent flavor, and EASYEASYEASY to make. I'll be making this one often! Absolutely delicious.Read more
recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
Anonymous 09-20-2008
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Not the best
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I thought that the sauce was too sour tasting, and the consistency of the sauce was too watery! Would never make this recipe... again.Read more
recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
Edward Astoria, NY 11-28-2007
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Awesome!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My wife used her own secret tomato sauce recipe, then added the pepper vodka sauce from some home grown peppers. We used Grey... Goose Vodka. It turned out to be the best vodka sauce we've ever experienced. We like kicking it up a notch.Read more
recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
cathaleya bolingbrook, IL 08-21-2007
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5-Star Quality
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I used to make instant pasta from Lipton. When I first tried the vodka pasta, I thought, "Wow! This is truly restaurant... quality!". Good bye, Lipton ;)Read more
recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
Dixie Lithia Springs, GA 08-17-2007
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Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Easy recipie with great results!
recipe Pasta with Pepper Vodka Sauce
Erin Pacific Palisades, CA 02-28-2007
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Amazing
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I do have to start out by saying I did add about 1tsp chili flakes with the garlic and shallot. Other than that I followed... the recipe exactly. I used Kettle One vodka and let it cook for 10 min. I also let the sauce simmer for over 30 min. because I was busy putting my children to bed, but I really enjoyed this sauce!! I am going to make it for a dinner party, double the recipe and cook it the day before and reheat it for my party. It was a big hit with the hubby!Read more