Creamy Shrimp Vodka Pasta
From Janet's Recipe Box · 30 min · one pan
This is the dinner that makes it feel like date night even on a random Tuesday. Juicy shrimp in a silky, blush-pink vodka sauce over penne, and it comes together in about thirty minutes in one pan. It tastes like something you would order out, but it is honestly so easy. Cozy, a little fancy, and exactly the kind of comfort I want when it starts getting cooler out.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne (or rigatoni)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup vodka (it cooks off, or leave it out and add a splash of broth)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, plus salt and pepper
- Fresh basil, torn, for serving
How I make it
- Cook the penne in salted water until just al dente. Scoop out a cup of pasta water before you drain it.
- While the pasta cooks, melt 1 tablespoon butter with the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high. Season the shrimp and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until just pink, then set them aside.
- In the same pan, melt the rest of the butter and cook the garlic for a minute. Stir in the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook until it darkens slightly.
- Pour in the vodka and let it bubble for a minute to cook off, then stir in the heavy cream until you have a smooth blush-pink sauce.
- Stir in the parmesan, then add the drained pasta and toss, loosening with a splash of pasta water until it is glossy and coats every noodle.
- Return the shrimp to the pan just to warm through, then finish with torn basil, salt, and pepper. Serve right away.
Make it your own
Use chicken instead of shrimp, stir in a handful of spinach for some green, or leave out the vodka entirely and add a splash of broth. It is very forgiving. Want another cozy dinner to add to the rotation? My one-pot lasagna soup is pure comfort.
My pasta-night staples
The big skillet I make this in, my go-to pasta pot, and the shallow bowls I serve it in are all in my Amazon storefront.
Shop my kitchen staples → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.Frequently asked questions
Can I make vodka pasta without the vodka?
Yes. Leave it out and add a splash of chicken or vegetable broth instead. The sauce will still be creamy and delicious, just a touch less complex.
How do I keep shrimp from getting rubbery?
Cook them just until they turn pink, about a minute or two per side, then set them aside and add them back at the very end only to warm through.
Can I use a different pasta?
Absolutely. Penne and rigatoni hold the creamy sauce beautifully, but any short pasta works.
Janet
Orlando mom and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. Janet's Recipe Box is my collection of the approachable, slightly elevated meals I actually cook. Come say hi on Instagram.
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