Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

Gigi Hadid's viral pasta is inspired by pasta alla vodka and can be prepared with or without vodka. This homemade Gigi Hadid pasta recipe uses less olive oil and more garlic and Parmesan than the original. For another meatless dinner with simple ingredients and a tomato-based sauce, try my Mediterranean Pasta.

What Is Gigi Hadid Pasta?

Gigi Hadid Pasta is the name commonly given to the spicy pasta recipe Gigi Hadid shared on Instagram Stories in April 2020. Her step-by-step recipe quickly gained attention online and later became a popular viral pasta on social media.

Also known as Gigi Hadid spicy vodka pasta or spicy pasta alla vodka, the dish combines short pasta with a creamy sauce made from tomato paste, onion, garlic, heavy cream, red pepper flakes, Parmesan, and optional vodka.

Gigi prepared her version without vodka because she didn't have any at home. The recipe works with or without it, which is why both versions of the viral pasta are now commonly made.

Ingredients

• Orecchiette or shell pasta – 8 oz. Short pasta works well with the thick sauce and is easy to toss until evenly coated.
• Olive oil – 2 tablespoons. Use it to sauté the onion and garlic before cooking the tomato paste.
• Red onion – ¼ small onion, diced. Cooking it first brings mild sweetness to the tomato base.
• Garlic – 3 cloves, minced. Cook it briefly with the onion before adding the tomato paste to prevent it from browning too quickly.
• Tomato paste – ¼ cup. It gives the sauce its rich tomato flavor and deep color. Use tomato paste, not tomato sauce.
• Heavy cream – ½ cup. It balances the acidity of the tomato paste and gives the sauce a smooth, creamy texture.
• Vodka – 1 tablespoon, optional. Use it for the vodka version or leave it out for an alcohol-free pasta.
• Red pepper flakes – 1 teaspoon. They give the sauce its heat. Adjust the amount based on how spicy you like your pasta.
• Butter – 1 tablespoon. It adds richness and helps create a smooth finish.
• Parmesan – ½ cup, freshly grated. Freshly grated Parmesan melts easily into the sauce and adds richness.
• Fresh basil – about 6 small leaves, plus more for serving. Stir some into the sauce and scatter the rest over the pasta before serving.
• Salt and black pepper – to taste. Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed.

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta

1. Cook the pasta: Cook 8 oz pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside. PIC. 1
2. Make the sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir the tomato paste into the mixture and cook until darker in colour and slightly caramelised. PIC. 2–4
3. Add the cream and vodka: Pour ½ cup heavy cream into the saucepan and stir until combined. Add the vodka and cook for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off some of the alcohol. PIC. 5–6
   Note: For a vodka-free version, skip the vodka. After adding the heavy cream, continue with the basil and seasonings.
4. Season the sauce: Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the sauce and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens.
5. Add the butter: Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 tablespoon butter and stir until melted. PIC. 7
6. Combine the pasta and sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to the saucepan. Pour some of the reserved pasta water over the pasta and toss until evenly coated. Use more pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency. PIC. 8
7. Finish with Parmesan: Sprinkle ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan over the pasta and toss until combined. Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed. PIC. 9
8. Serve: Top with additional Parmesan and fresh basil. Serve immediately.

FAQ About Gigi Hadid Pasta

What to Serve with Gigi Hadid Pasta

• Vegetables: Serve with Air Fryer Asparagus or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts for a simple vegetable side.
• Salad: Pair with a fresh spinach or arugula salad for a crisp contrast to the creamy tomato pasta.
• Bread: Garlic Bread Rolls are great for scooping up the remaining sauce.

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4.96 from 110 votes

Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

Saucy and creamy, Gigi Hadid Pasta combines tender pasta with a rich tomato-cream sauce, garlic, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes for a satisfying 25-minute dinner.

Course:Main dish

Cuisine:American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 2 people

Calories842 kcal

Author Valentina Dimitrova

Cost $ 1.00 per person

Equipment

• 1 pot
• 1 pan
• 1 cutting board
• 1 Chef's knife
• 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients

• 8 oz orecchiette or shell pasta, such as fusilli, penne, farfalle (bowtie), or conchiglie
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (Original: ¼ cup olive oil)
• ¼ small red onion – diced (or 3 shallots, minced)
• 3 garlic cloves – minced (Original: 1 small garlic clove)
• ¼ cup tomato paste – Not tomato sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vodka – You can skip it
• 6 small fresh basil leaves for the sauce, plus a few more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or more for a spicier pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter – You can omit it
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Original: ¼ cup Parmesan cheese)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Cook the pasta: Cook 8 oz pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
• Make the sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir the tomato paste into the mixture and cook until darker in colour and slightly caramelised.
• Add the cream and vodka: Pour ½ cup heavy cream into the saucepan and stir until combined. Add the vodka and cook for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off some of the alcohol.

  Note: For a vodka-free version, skip the vodka. After adding the heavy cream, continue with the basil and seasonings.
• Season the sauce: Sprinkle the red pepper flakes over the sauce and season with salt and black pepper. Cook until the sauce thickens.
• Add the butter: Reduce the heat to low. Add 1 tablespoon butter and stir until melted.
• Combine the pasta and sauce: Transfer the cooked pasta to the saucepan. Pour some of the reserved pasta water over the pasta and toss until evenly coated. Use more pasta water as needed to adjust the sauce consistency.
• Finish with Parmesan: Sprinkle ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan over the pasta and toss until combined. Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper as needed.
• Serve: Top with additional Parmesan and fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftover Gigi Hadid pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer: I don't recommend freezing this pasta because the cream-based sauce may separate and change texture after thawing.

Reheating: Reheat the pasta in a pan over medium-low heat with a small splash of heavy cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Stir until heated through.

 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 842kcal | Carbohydrates: 96g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 307mg | Potassium: 689mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1846IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 3mg

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