Description
Shrimp Vodka Sauce Pasta brings restaurant-quality comfort straight to your kitchen table without complicated techniques or hours of prep. Creamy, rich tomato sauce mingles with perfectly cooked shrimp, creating a delightful dinner solution that feels elegant yet totally achievable on a busy evening.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Carbohydrates:
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Sauce and Seasonings:
- ½ cup vodka
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Boil your pasta in salted water according to package instructions until perfectly al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1 finely chopped shallot until translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30-45 seconds, releasing their aromatic oils without browning.
- Pour ½ cup vodka into the skillet, letting it simmer and deglaze the pan. Scrape any caramelized bits from the bottom for extra flavor.
- Mix in the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat and allow the sauce to gently bubble for 10-12 minutes, developing rich depth.
- Introduce 1 pound of peeled shrimp to the simmering sauce. Cook 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn opaque and pink throughout.
- Swirl ½ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup grated Parmesan into the sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Fold the drained pasta into the creamy sauce, using reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Plate immediately and scatter fresh basil leaves on top for a bright, herbal finish.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness by tasting a strand, ensuring it’s tender but still has a slight bite for perfect al dente texture.
- Quickly sear shrimp to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
- Allow vodka sauce to simmer gently to concentrate flavors and soften tomato acidity.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version, and use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-27 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg