Love at First Bite Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Love at First Bite Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines a rich tomato vodka sauce with tender pasta and fresh basil. This easy recipe creates a comforting, restaurant-quality meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Onion (finely diced)
• 1 Carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 3 Garlic Cloves (finely minced)
• 3/4 cup Vodka (or chicken broth)
• 1 (28-ounce) can Whole Tomatoes (or crushed)
• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 6 to 8 Basil Leaves (ribbons)
• 1 Tablespoon Crushed Calabrian Chilies (optional)
• 1 lb. Pasta (of choice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil, then add the chopped onion and carrot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Step 2: Pour in the vodka or chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and lift any browned bits. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off.
3. Step 3: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
4. Step 4: Stir in the whole tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
5. Step 5: For a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender directly in the pan or carefully transfer the sauce to a blender. Blend until smooth, taking care as the sauce will be hot.
6. Step 6: Return the sauce to the pan if needed, then add heavy cream. Stir in 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, reserving the rest for garnish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
7. Step 7: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and gently toss to combine. Serve topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and fresh basil ribbons. Add crushed Calabrian chilies if you like a spicy kick.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute vodka with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
• Use crushed tomatoes instead of whole for a quicker sauce base.
• Add cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
• Fresh basil is best added at the end to maintain its bright flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Reheat gently before tossing with the pasta.

What type of pasta works best with this sauce?

This sauce pairs well with any pasta shape, but penne, rigatoni, or fusilli hold the creamy sauce nicely thanks to their ridges and tubes.

Love at First Bite Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 234 reviews

Love at First Bite Pasta is a creamy, flavorful tomato vodka sauce pasta with a perfect balance of tangy tomatoes, a hint of spice from Calabrian chilies, and the richness of heavy cream and parmesan cheese. This Italian-inspired dish is simple to prepare yet impressively delicious, making it an ideal meal for any pasta lover.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Sauce Ingredients

• 2 to 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Onion (finely diced)
• 1 Carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 3 Garlic Cloves (finely minced)
• 3/4 cup Vodka (or chicken broth)
• 1 (28-ounce) can Whole Tomatoes (or crushed)
• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 teaspoons Sugar
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 6 to 8 Basil Leaves (ribbons)
• 1 Tablespoon Crushed Calabrian Chilies (optional)

Pasta

• 1 lb. Pasta (of choice)

Instructions

1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the finely diced onion and carrot and sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to develop flavor.
2. Deglaze with Vodka: Pour in the vodka (or chicken broth) to deglaze the pan, stirring to release any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes so the alcohol cooks off, leaving a rich flavor behind.
3. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your preferred pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the whole tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Use a spoon to break up the tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to thicken and develop flavor.
5. Optional Blending for Smoother Sauce: For a smooth texture, carefully use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer the sauce to a blender in batches. Be cautious as the sauce will be hot.
6. Add Cream and Cheese: Once blended, stir in the heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Reserve the remaining Parmesan for garnish. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
7. Toss Pasta with Sauce and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and gently toss to combine. Serve topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese, fresh basil ribbons, and optional crushed Calabrian chilies for an added kick.

Notes

• You can substitute vodka with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
• Using crushed Calabrian chilies adds spicy depth but can be omitted if you prefer less heat.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances flavor significantly over pre-grated varieties.
• Be cautious when blending hot sauce to avoid splattering and burns.
• Choose pasta shape that holds sauce well, such as penne or rigatoni, for best results.

Keywords: Creamy tomato vodka sauce pasta, Love at First Bite Pasta, Italian pasta recipe, vodka sauce pasta, easy pasta dinner