Learn how to make the original Gigi Hadid Pasta, or spicy vodka pasta, with this copycat recipe. A quick and easy tomato-based sauce with crushed red pepper and cream. My family loves eating this weeknight meal!
Why This Recipe is the Best
Make an elegant meal for two for a special dinner date or Valentine's dinner. This recipe is made without Vodka, making it a delicious family-friendly meal. This copycat recipe became popular on TikTok and Instagram, and we had to recreate it!
Be sure to check out our other tasty pasta dishes like our Five Cheese Marinara, Rattlesnake Pasta, and Four Cheese Pasta Cheesecake Factory
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Key Ingredients
Follow this list of ingredients to make this pasta recipe. Be sure to check out any tips we've learned for the best results.
- Minced Garlic- Minced garlic adds a great taste to this meal. If you don't have that on hand, you can also use garlic powder. 1 clove of garlic is equal to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Vodka (Not Pictured and optional)-This is an optional ingredient. If added, most of the alcohol will burn off after three minutes of simmering. Adding vodka can enhance the flavor of the tomatoes, but we found that it isn't necessary for a great-tasting dish.
- Tomato Paste- Make sure to use tomato paste instead of tomato sauce!
- Heavy Cream- Heavy cream gives this a delicious and creamy taste. You can also use half and half or even milk substitutes, depending on your dietary needs.
- Shell Pasta- This is from the original recipe. The shells help hold a large amount of sauce and flavor. Feel free to use your favorite noodles like Rigatoni, Penne, Farfalle (Bow Tie), Rotini, or Ziti.
How to Make Spicy Vodka Pasta
These step-by-step process photos will help you make a delicious meal. Refer to the photographs when necessary for additional help.
- In a medium saucepan pan cook shell pasta noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- In a saute pan, heat olive oil. Add diced onion and cook until slightly translucent. Add the minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Then add the tomato paste to the cooked garlic and onions and mix until combined.
- Next, add the heavy cream and crushed red pepper to the tomato paste and stir until a sauce begins to form. Pour in the parmesan cheese. The consistency will be a little thick and cheesy. Add in pasta water to help thin the sauce to the consistency you prefer.
- Add the drained shell pasta to the sauce. Mix until the noodles are completely covered in sauce. Serve with extra parmesan and crushed red pepper if desired.
Hint: Don't forget to reserve excess pasta water. You will want to add ¼ cup to about ½ cup to thin the sauce to the desired texture.
Common Mistakes
This sauce comes together quickly; make sure to have all the ingredients ready to be added when you start the cooking process. While I was recipe testing, I wasn't prepared for how quickly the sauce was made. It became too thick to mix the noodles in before they were done! Luckily,y I had reserved pasta water to thin it out, and it still tasted great.
Top tips
Though in the name, this dish does not need added vodka to be a delicious meal. It tastes amazing without vodka. If you add Vodka, most of the alcohol will burn off after simmering the sauce for 3 minutes.
We made sure to double the portions from the original Gigi Hadid pasta to serve 4 people instead of 2. It can be easily doubled to serve 6 or 8 people
Recipe
Gigi Hadid Pasta
Equipment
- medium sauce pan
- medium saute pan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- ½ cup white onion diced
- 4 cloves minced garlic about 2 teaspoons
- 2 tablespoons Vodka* OPTIONAL
- 6 ounces Tomato Paste 1 can
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup pasta water reserve you will need ¼-1/2 cups
- 2 cups Shell Pasta
- ¼ teaspoon table salt more or less as desired
Instructions
- Cook the shell pasta noodles according to package directions. Once cooked reserve ½ cup of pasta water and then drain and set aside.2 cups Shell Pasta
- On medium heat in a medium saute pan heat olive oil. Add the diced onion and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir and cook until fragrant. About 1-2 minutes.2 tablespoon Olive Oil, ½ cup white onion, 4 cloves minced garlic
- Add the tomato paste (one can) to the sautéed onions and garlic. Mix until well combined and continue to stir for 2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream and crushed red pepper and stir until a sauce is formed.6 ounces Tomato Paste, 1 cup Heavy Cream, 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- At this time, if you are using vodka add the 2 tablespoons of vodka and simmer for 3 minutes while stirring. Use lemon juice as a substitute if you wanted.2 tablespoons Vodka*
- Next, add in the parmesan cheese and salt and stir, the sauce will thicken and get cheesy. Add pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.½ cup grated parmesan, ½ cup pasta water reserve, ¼ teaspoon table salt
- Last, add the cooked shell pasta to the sauce and stir until completely coated. Serve topped with more parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. See notes for additional information.
Video
Notes
- If you still want to have that similar vodka taste but don't want to use vodka add 2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice.
- This recipe can EASILY be made without Vodka and tastes delicious. This is how we make it! If you do use vodka, it enhances the flavor of the tomatoes and the alcohol will burn off after 3 minutes for the amount the recipe calls for.
- Make with half and half instead.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, bacon, ground beef, or Italian sausage to this meatless meal.
- Don't have cream or half and half? Use milk you have in the fridge at a 1:1 ratio. The sauce will not be as thick and you may not need to add to pasta water to thin the sauce.
- Instead of tomato paste, use tomato sauce at a 1:1 ratio. Tomato sauce is much thinner than tomato paste. You will need to simmer for 3-5 minutes and the sauce won't be as thick as the original recipe.
- Make this a gluten free dish by using your favorite gluten free pasta.
- If you don't like things spicy, be sure to leave out the crushed red pepper, or add half the amount for a more subtle heat.
- Not an onion fan, make this without onion step to eliminate that onion flavor. The flavor of the dish will be altered.
Nutrition
Substitutions and Variations
- Half and Half - Looking for this recipe without heavy cream? Substitute for half and half at a 1:1 ratio for the same great taste.
- Ground Beef-While this meal is vegetarian, add one cup of cooked ground beef for extra protein and flavor.
- Shrimp-Make this a seafood sensation by adding 1 cup of cooked shrimp mixed into the pasta and sauce.
- Lemon Juice- Want to skip the vodka but add in extra flavor? Add in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice for some added zest instead of vodka.
- With Chicken- Add sliced grilled chicken to the top of each bowl of served pasta.
- Dairy Free - Looking for a dairy-free option? Instead of using creams or cow's milk, use Almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk at a 1:1 ratio. These milks tend to be thinner, so the sauce may be runnier. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to help with the consistency. This will also help make this meal a vegan option.
Storing Spicy Vodka Pasta
Store Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To serve again, reheat the portion you are going to eat in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute and then in 30-second intervals until it's the desired temperature.
Andrea says
My family loved this Spicy Vodka Pasta, we made it without vodka and it tasted fantastic. I used the half and half substitute with no issues. Love having this Gigi Hadid pasta recipe on hand now!