The best vodka sauce is the perfect combination of tomato sauce, parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings.
The Best Vodka Sauce
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito.
This really is the best vodka sauce recipe out there.

And trust me, I’ve had a lot of them over the years.
Almost everywhere in New Jersey has their own version of this recipe.

And I do love them all but this one is a true stand out.
My mom started making this recipe for my siblings and I over 30 years ago and we’ve been making it ever since.

Now I make it for my own family and they love it, too.
This recipe is great for a dinner at home or if you need to feed a crowd.
It will be an instant hit.
I know that if you give this vodka sauce recipe a try, that you’ll love it just as much as we do.
Fast. Simple. Delicious.
Did you know that I have a cookbook called Fast Simple Delicious?
It’s 60 no fuss no fail comfort food recipes perfect for busy weekday dinners.

Click HERE to order your copy or click the 3 lines in the top right corner and click “Book”. Thank you for the support.
Other delicious pasta sauce recipes:

If you like this recipe here are a few other really fast, simple and delicious pasta recipes you’ll love, too.

Can I get drunk from eating vodka sauce?
Absolutely not. You can’t get drunk eating this vodka sauce.

Any alcohol is cooked out of the sauce.
That means, yes, its safe for kids to enjoy, too!
What Pasta should I choose?
Penne and vodka sauce go hand in hand. Its by far the most popular pasta to choose for this one.

That’s because those little ridges and grooves really help that sauce stick to it.
So any pasta that’s got some texture to hold onto that sauce will do.

If penne isn’t your thing, here are a couple of other pastas that work very well:
- Rigatoni
- Tortiglioni
- Farfalle
- Fussili
- Ziti
Try it on ravioli, tortellini and even gnocchi, too. SO SO good!
The best vodka sauce Recipe Video:
How can I use vodka sauce?
There are so many uses of this sauce recipe! You’re really only limited to your imagination here.

Anything you use tomato sauce for can be easily swapped out of this.
Here are some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
- Pizza
- Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan ( using the best chicken cutlets )
- Eggplant Parmesan
- Meatballs
- Dipping Sauce in place of marinara
- Soup Starters

The best vodka recipe sauce ingredients:
- Chopped Garlic
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Chopped Onion
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Butter
- Heavy Cream
- Freshly Grated Parmesan
- Vodka
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning
The best vodka sauce recipe YouTube video:
Instructions:
First, in a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until it’s soft (add hot pepper flakes here if you like it spicy).

Now add the vodka. Bring the heat up and boil for 2-3 minutes.

Then add the tomatoes and season with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

Now add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese.

Then simmer for an additional 30 minutes.

Taste the sauce and re season if needed.
I usually need to add a little salt and some more Italian seasoning.

Lastly add a ladle of pasta water and mix the pasta into the sauce.

Serve warm and enjoy!
The Best Vodka Sauce
Equipment
- Medium Size Pot
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Olive Oil
- 2 Tbs Butter
- 1/2 Onion, diced
- 4 Cloves Minced Garlic
- 1/4 Cup Vodka
- 1 28oz can Crushed Tomatoes
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
- 2 Tbs Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Red Pepper Flakes Optional
- 1 ladle Pasta Water
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbs of butter in a large sauté pan or pot.
- Add onion and chopped garlic. Sauté until soft.
- Add Italian Seasoning, pepper flakes (of desires) and lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Add the vodka and the heat up and boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and season with salt, pepper and a little more Italian seasoning.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally
- Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
- Season to taste and add 1 tbs of butter.
- Add pasta water to save and serve over prepared penne pasta.
Notes
Also, don’t rush the sauce. It will take a full hour to cook and be worth it!