The best vodka sauce is the perfect combination of tomato sauce, vodka, and cream simmered in Italian herbs and spices.
The Best Vodka Sauce
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito.
This really is the best vodka sauce recipe out there and I stick to that statement with everything I’ve got.
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.
We just love this sauce and for good reason, too. Its so creamy and loaded with falvor.
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. It a highly requested pasta dish around here.
This recipe is great for either a causal dinner at home or a holiday celebration. It can be served with and for just about anything because its always such a big hit.
I know that if you give this vodka sauce recipe a try, that you’ll love it just as much as we do, too.
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?
No, absolutely not. You can’t get drunk eating this vodka sauce so no need to worry.
Any alcohol is cooked out of the sauce. That means,that it’s perfectly safe for kids to enjoy, too.
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
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!
Comments (49)
KnRsDad
January 21, 2020 at 1:22 pm
I ask for vodka sauce on any parm hero that I order. Definitely a game changer!!
Also, do you send out notifications for your posts immediately? I see this was posted on January 12th, and I just got the email notification yesterday. Don’t wanna miss a thing!!!
Al Dente Diva
January 22, 2020 at 1:45 am
You are awesome. Thank you. I’m still trying to figure this whole thing out. Right now it goes my the date I started the draft not the release date so some may seem off. I’m working on that
Ken
March 18, 2020 at 1:02 pm
In the video you say 2 28 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes but the recipe says 1. Can you help clarify that please. Trying recipe tonight. Thank you
Al Dente Diva
March 18, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Hello! So sorry it’s one can! I hope you like it
Ken
March 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Thank you again can’t wait to try it !!!!!!
Jennifer
April 6, 2020 at 10:52 pm
When are you suppose to add the garlic powder?
Al Dente Diva
April 9, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Hi! You can add it after the tomato sauce
kris
May 8, 2020 at 12:54 am
This sauce was so yummy and easy to make!
Al Dente Diva
May 8, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Thank you so much
Al Dente Diva
May 17, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Thanks so much. So happy to hear it
Anonymous
October 10, 2020 at 5:58 pm
How much pasta will this amount of sauce cover?
The Best Vodka Sauce – My Blog
October 12, 2020 at 4:56 pm
[…] The best ever vodka sauce. This recipe has been in my family for over 30 years. Its so easy to make, too. #vodkasauce #saucerecipe #penneallavodka #easyrecipe, source : aldentediva.com […]
Al Dente Diva
October 12, 2020 at 4:58 pm
1 pound 😊
Anonymous
October 28, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Best vodka sauce recipe I have tried!
Al Dente Diva
October 28, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Thank you so so much
THE BEST WAY TO REHEAT PIZZA
October 25, 2021 at 12:20 am
[…] while you’re here check out my Vodka Sauce Recipe and Grilled Chicken Thigh Marinade. I think you’d really love those, […]
Vegetarian Taco Dip
October 25, 2021 at 8:37 pm
[…] For the record, this dip is great and you don’t need to be off meat to enjoy it. If you like this try my Spinach & artichoke dip & Vodka Sauce Recipe. […]
Anonymous
January 9, 2022 at 11:46 pm
This is by far the best vodka sauce I have ever tried …made it today … doesn’t surprise me you are from Jersey … ThankYou Much!!! keep the recipes coming
Anonymous
January 9, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Best Vodka sauce I have ever had …. No surprise you are from Jersey … thanks keep the recipes coming
Al Dente Diva
January 10, 2022 at 12:02 am
Thank you so so much for trying this recipe & the nice comment. So
Glad you liked it 💜
Cristina L Melanson
January 31, 2022 at 1:08 am
Made this tonight and it was amazing! Thank you for posting. I’ve always wanted to make a vodka sauce, but put off trying it until I saw your quick video.
Al Dente Diva
January 31, 2022 at 1:27 am
Hey Christina. Thank you so much for taking a leap of faith! I really appreciate you giving it a try. Thank you
Ange
February 3, 2022 at 1:46 am
How many cans of tomatoes? ..the video said 2 but the recipe said 1
Al Dente Diva
February 3, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Hi! Sorry for the confusion. It’s just one can
3 Ingredient Blueberry Cobbler
February 25, 2022 at 6:26 pm
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]
Creamy Sausage Rigatoni
February 28, 2022 at 4:17 pm
[…] of pasta Sundays or just a fan of pasta in genera, I have a few recipes you may really like! Try my Vodka Sauce, viral Alfredo Sauce or my creamy tomato sauce. They’re all absolutely delicious and super easy […]
The Best Chicken Cutlets
March 3, 2022 at 2:48 pm
[…] with rice or pasta and vegetables. This vodka sauce recipe of mine is an awesome match with […]
Anonymous
March 5, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Do you have an easy recipe for lasagna? I tend not to make it because it seems time consuming.
Al Dente Diva
March 5, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Hi! Not one that I have posted but I can give you a tip to shave some time off. You don’t have to boil the noodles. Some are marketed as “no boil” noodles but the truth is that they all work. Just later them as you normally would but dry. The only thing you have to do is to make sure to add extra sauce to the lasagna. The dry noodles will absorb some sauce to cook
SIMPLE ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE
March 15, 2022 at 3:27 pm
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]
Tik Tok’s viral Alfredo Sauce
March 19, 2022 at 12:30 pm
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]
Creamy Tomato Ravioli Sauce
March 23, 2022 at 2:51 pm
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]
The Best No Roux Shells And Cheese
April 5, 2022 at 3:33 pm
[…] The BEST vodka sauce […]
Classic Baked Italian Meatballs
April 9, 2022 at 4:22 pm
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]
Pink Marinara Alfredo Sauce
May 5, 2022 at 2:47 pm
[…] The best vodka sauce […]
The Best Chicken Marinade
June 26, 2022 at 3:05 pm
[…] penne alla vodka or fettuccini […]
Easy Lasagna Soup
December 1, 2022 at 4:55 pm
[…] The best vodka sauce […]
Alyssa
December 15, 2022 at 2:43 am
Can you freeze the leftover sauce?
Al Dente Diva
December 15, 2022 at 4:30 pm
Yes absolutely
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta
September 12, 2023 at 11:04 am
[…] Vodka sauce […]
Meat Sauce For Pasta
October 9, 2023 at 3:38 pm
[…] The BEST vodka sauce […]
Riette Farthing
January 24, 2024 at 10:27 pm
If I wanted to batch make and freeze this recipe, would you freeze the final product or would you freeze the sauce before adding the cream/cheese and just add that each time you reheat/use it?
GINNY’S CHICKEN
January 30, 2024 at 11:06 am
[…] Vodka Sauce […]
Anonymous
February 10, 2024 at 7:22 pm
Pghauck@netzero.com
Anonymous
February 10, 2024 at 7:25 pm
I just made this and it is the best vodka sauce ever. I did add a bit too much red pepper flakes, so just added a little bit of sugar to help it and put in extra Parmesan cheese in it since I really like it.
Al Dente Diva
February 10, 2024 at 7:27 pm
Thank you so much for giving it a try and letting me know that you enjoyed it. I appreciate it!
HOMEMADE SPAGHETTIOS
February 21, 2024 at 9:25 am
[…] The BEST Vodka Sauce […]
DAVE’S VODKA SAUCE CHICKEN PARM
March 17, 2024 at 11:01 am
[…] did the brunt of the cooking and while I have own way of making vodka sauce and chicken cutlets, his versions of both were absolutely […]
ONE POT CREAMY BROCCOLI PASTA
April 18, 2024 at 8:37 am
[…] The Best Vodka Sauce […]