Spicy Vodka Rigatoni

The comfort meal of all comfort meals. This meal hits every time.

Ingredients:

  • Pancetta

  • 1 tsp. olive oil, 3 tbsp butter

  • 1/2 lb rigatoni

  • 1 shallot

  • 3 cloves garlic

  • Tomatoes

  • Tomato paste

  • Heavy cream

  • Vodka (optional)

  • Parmesan cheese

  • Calabrian chilli paste (or red pepper flakes)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Toss pancetta into a pan on medium heat and cook until browned.

  2. Using a perforated spoon, remove cooked pancetta and set aside. In the same pan with the grease from the meat, turn heat to low/medium and toss in the diced shallot. Add in butter and about a teaspoon of olive oil. Cook for one minute and then toss in minced minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 mins until fragrant.

  3. Toss in tomatoes and one tsp of Calabrian chili paste (or red pepper flakes). Salt and pepper well. Cook down for 2-3 minutes until they are blistered, then add tomato paste. Combine all ingredients until it is a thick paste. Turn up heat to medium and let cook until the paste turns from red to a dark color.

  4. Turn up heat and pour in shot of vodka to deglaze.

  5. Pour in heavy cream and stir well. Then, Add 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water.

  6. Stir well and re-thicken with fresh grated parmesan cheese.

  7. Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed.

  8. Toss pasta in sauce and let cook for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with crispy pancetta, a generous amount of fresh grated parmesan and basil.

  9. Enjoy :)