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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://tastybella.com/love-at-first-bite-pasta-recipe/