Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta

Our Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta is an all-time fav because of its simplicity and amazing flavour. The sauce has an exceptionally well-balanced flavour and a hint of spice. This indulgent pasta has an irresistible creamy, tomato base and is made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!

As you gear up for your next pasta night and start the search for a recipe… stop right here! HELLO! Our Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta is quick, indulgent, creamy and packed with flavour! It is sure to impress and take your pasta night to the next level. We’ve all seen Gigi Hadid’s famous Spicy Vodka Pasta recipe as it took over Instagram and TikTok… and we’ve definitely all drooled over it. It only seemed right for us to not only veganize it, but level it up too, bringing you our Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta!

Made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, this indulgent sauce makes this dish so amazing! The tomato paste’s strong acidity is balanced with caramelized shallots and garlic, adding sweetness and depth of flavour. The chilis are added for the perfect hint of heat (and for spice lovers like us, go off and sprinkle more on your final masterpiece of a dish!). The vodka’s purpose is to balance the sauce and maintain a cohesive texture. The creaminess that all vegans strive to achieve is created with the addition of simple, homemade cashew cream. You’ll see a transformation of the red base to a beautiful and creamy smooth sauce. To complete the dish, basil is added at the end to provide a fabulous fresh flavour.

Toss, garnish and serve! Each bite of pasta is filled with a perfectly balanced burst of sauce and unforgettable flavour. Our Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta is an all-time fav because of its simplicity and super taste! Once you have a bite, it is bound to be one of your favourites too!

Try this recipe, and don’t forget to share your creations @smallkitchenbigplates

Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta

• Servings: 4-6
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Time: 50 minutes
• Print

Our Spicy Basil Vodka Pasta is an all-time fav because of its simplicity and amazing flavour. The sauce has an exceptionally well-balanced flavour and a hint of spice. This indulgent pasta has an irresistible creamy, tomato base and is made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!

Ingredients

• 454g (16oz) pasta shells, or pasta of your choice, cooked according to package instructions
• 2 cups pasta water, for sauce

Spicy Vodka Sauce
• 1/2 cup cashews, soaked for 20 minutes in hot water
• 1 cup oat milk
• 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 shallots, finely chopped
• 12 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tubes/cans of tomato paste (158g x 2)
• 2 teaspoons chili flakes
• 2 oz vodka
• 1/2 cup basil, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Boil heavily salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. When the pasta is cooked, strain and reserve about 2 cups of pasta water for the sauce.
2. To make the cashew “cream” for the sauce, add soaked cashews, oat milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to a blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a cast-iron skillet or pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and diced shallots, cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste and chilli flakes; cook for about 4 to 5 minutes – the colour will darken to a dark red/brown. Add vodka and stir continuously until the pan is deglazed and mixed for about 1 minute. Turn off heat, add cashew cream, and stir until combined. Add the reserved pasta water 1/4 cup at a time while stirring, until the sauce becomes very smooth and to your desired consistency/thickness. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter and mix well.
4. Pour the pasta into the sauce and mix well until all the shells are evenly coated. Garnish with basil, salt, pepper and serve.

Notes

1. You can use any shape of pasta you like. Shells and rigatoni are our favourite shapes because each pasta fills up with sauce, creating the perfect flavourful bite.
2. You can use ½ cup yellow onion instead of shallots.
3. Depending on your desired spice level, you may want to add additional red pepper flakes. We’ve chosen a level of spice that perfectly balances out the sweetness of the tomatoes and adds a little kick. Remember, you can always add more, but it’s harder to remove.