Creste di Gallo alla Vodka with Stracchino

Difficulty Level: Easy

Total Time: 30 minutes

Serving Size: 2-4 servings

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Creste di gallo tossed in a creamy homemade vodka sauce made with tomato paste, garlic, shallot, heavy cream, and Parmigiano Reggiano. Topped with soft, creamy stracchino cheese and fresh basil, this easy 30-minute pasta recipe puts a delicious twist on classic penne alla vodka.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. Creste di Gallo

• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 shallot, finely chopped

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 6 oz. tomato paste

• 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1/4 cup vodka

• 3/4 cup heavy cream

• 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated

• 4 oz. stracchino or other soft cheese (whipped ricotta, stracciatella, burrata)

• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

  
  

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over low heat and sauté the chopped shallot until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a further 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

2. Add the tomato paste and salt to the pan. Stir and let sit on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste deepens in color.

3. Add 1/4 cup of vodka to deglaze the pan. Stir until the vodka has fully evaporated, about 1-2 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmigiano. Add more salt to taste.

5. Once the water is boiling, add plenty of salt. Cook the pasta until it’s al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup of pasta water.

6. Strain the pasta and add it to the pan along with the vodka sauce and 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss on medium heat until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more pasta water as needed, 1/4 cup at a time.

7. Plate and top with stracchino and basil.