Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Pasta

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For an impressive Italian meal that’s jam packed with authentic flavor, make this Carbone spicy rigatoni recipe! One bite of this spicy vodka pasta dish and they’ll think they’re eating at Carbone^© restaurant. Better yet, you can make this delicious meal in less time than it takes to pick up carryout for dinner!

spicy vodka sauce with rigatoni in a casserole dish

Saving time and money with restaurant copycats is one of the biggest perks of being a home cook. So, check out our recipes for recipe for chicken piccata, how to make In n Out sauce, or Blackstone Crunch Wrap.

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Why We Love This Recipe

Quick and easy, 30-minute meal.
Rigatoni alla vodka may sound like a fancy meal that takes hours to make, but it comes together in only 25 minutes!
Possibly better than the original Carbone pasta recipe!
Our tomato vodka sauce is both creamy and decadent, with the perfect level of spice.
Doubling this recipe is very easy, and it reheats like a dream for tasty meals throughout the week.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Labeled ingredients image for spicy rigatoni pasta.

Vodka – If you would rather not use it, simply substitute an equal amount of water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Heavy cream – Do not substitute half & half or milk in place of heavy cream for this Carbone spicy rigatoni recipe. The high amount of fat in cream is crucial to developing a thick consistency.
Chili pepper paste – This is our favorite to use in Italian recipes, but any brand will do. Instead of chili pepper paste, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes or combine 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper with 1 tablespoon of cooking oil.
This rigatoni recipe can also be made without the chili pepper paste. Replace it with dried red pepper flakes for a bit of heat that isn’t too overwhelming. If you’re looking for a similar pasta dinner that isn’t spicy at all, you might like pasta pomodoro recipe.
Rigatoni – This tubed pasta is different from penne, but only slightly: penne is narrower and cut diagonally for a pointy shape, while rigatoni is straight and cylindrical. Either works.
Parmesan-Reggiano – This sharp cheese really ties together all of the Italian flavors! If you absolutely need a substitute, Pecorino is the only one we recommend using.
Fresh garlic and onion – The secret to any great Italian sauce is to capture the onion and garlic flavors. Be sure to use fresh cloves of garlic; otherwise, the dried spices cook away almost immediately, leaving you with a flavorless tomato sauce.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

To ensure your rigatoni pasta is perfectly cooked, boil it in salted water until it’s al dente, then immediately toss it with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking. For an extra flavor boost, finish cooking the pasta in your sauce for the last few minutes to allow it to absorb all the delicious flavors.

Recipe Variations

Make it gluten-free. The only substitution you need for this recipe to be completely gluten-free is to use rice noodles or any other gluten-free pasta.

Bulk it up for a heartier meal. As written, our recipe for rigatoni vodka pasta is vegetarian, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add some protein. Almost any Italian pasta dish can be bulked up with sausage or prosciutto. (If you enjoy Italian sausage, wait until you taste it in baked rigatoni and sausage!)

Carbone’s Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe Tips

Reserve some pasta water.
Adding starchy salted water to the vodka pasta sauce not only enhances the flavor, it also marries the sauce together with the rigatoni.
Sauté the onion before adding the garlic.
The onion takes about 6 minutes to soften and become golden yellow, but the garlic will burn if it’s in the pan that long. For the best results, sauté the onions using a wooden spoon on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes first, then add the garlic. Keep stirring the garlic browned bits as it cooks, to prevent it from burning.
Cook the tomato paste long enough to caramelize the sugars.
After a few minutes of cooking time, the color of the paste will turn brick red. That’s your cue to move on to the next step.

Cooking tomato paste with onions and garlic in a cast iron skillet.

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Allow the vodka to almost entirely evaporate.
Cooking with vodka is a bit tricky. Generally, less is used than other alcohols, and any residual alcohol will have a very strong, sharp flavor. Because of this, you want to cook down the alcohol until it’s almost completely evaporated from the tomato sauce.
Taste for flavor before adding the cream.
Give the sauce a taste test before adding the cream and chili paste. Does it have too strong of a vodka flavor? If so, cook it a little longer, then taste it again.

Wooden spoon in a saucepan of creamy vodka sauce.

Get more rigatoni recipes!

You’ll love how the grooves in rigatoni pasta become coated in the smooth sauce for the perfect pasta and sauce combo. Craving a different spicy pasta dinner? Try this spaghetti arrabbiata instead.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this rich and spicy rigatoni alla vodka pasta dish with a Caesar or kale salad dressing recipe. Of course, a basket of soft yeast roll recipe or crusty loaf of cooking sourdough bread, and a small plate of olive oil for dipping are always fabulous on the side.

Serving spoon of Carbone spicy rigatoni vodka held above a pan holding the rest of the dish.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of rigatoni does Carbone use?

The original Carbone spicy rigatoni recipe, straight from New York, uses large, classic rigatoni. Its ridged exterior and large center make it great for pasta recipes with lots of sauce that you want to scoop up and enjoy!

How long does it take to cook rigatoni?

Generally, it takes about 10 minutes to cook pasta al dente, which is what we recommend for our Carbone pasta recipe. It can vary, however. A good guideline is 2 minutes less than the cooking time suggested on the box of pasta you’re using.

What is rigatoni Carbone?

Carbone is a popular Italian restaurant in New York City. The spicy rigatoni with vodka pasta sauce is one of their most famous dishes.

How long does it take to cook rigatoni al dente?

Cooking times vary from brand to brand, so always follow the directions on the package, subtracting 2 minutes for al dente pasta.

Does it matter what vodka you use for vodka pasta?

No, use your preferred vodka for this recipe. While cooking, the vodka acts as a flavor conductor, and most (if not all) of the alcohol content is burned off in the cooking process.

How do I store and reheat?

Spicy vodka pasta can be placed in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Reheat on the stovetop with all of the sauce or microwave in short 15-second bursts for best results.
Unfortunately, this spicy rigatoni recipe is not freezer-friendly. The vodka sauce includes heavy cream, which, like any other dairy product, will separate during thawing and reheating. This significantly changes the consistency and flavor.

Large spoonful of spicy vodka pasta held above the pan.

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