Carbone Spicy Vodka Rigatoni (Copycat)

Name: Carbone Spicy Vodka Rigatoni (copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1lb rigatoni pasta; 1/2 cup olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced; 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1/4 cup finely chopped Calabrian chili peppers; 12 ounces tomato paste; 1 cup vodka; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 cup reserved pasta water; 1 tablespoon butter; 2-3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

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This copycat Carbone Spicy Vodka Rigatoni recipe is easy enough to make on a weeknight but indulgent enough to make for a date night! It's spicy, creamy, and super rich.

Why I Love It:

Rich and Creamy - This sauce is super decadent and perfect for a special occasion.
Spicy - The Calabrian chili peppers add spice to the sauce, but you can adjust it to your taste.
Carbone Copycat - A close copycat of the famous restaurant favorite!

Ingredients

Rigatoni Pasta
Olive Oil
Onion - finely diced
Spices - Salt, Pepper
Minced Garlic
Calabrian Chili Peppers - You can buy these in a jar in most grocery stores
Tomato Paste
Vodka
Heavy Cream
Sugar - Just a tiny bit of sugar helps cut the acidity of the tomatoes
Butter
Grated Parmesan Cheese - plus extra for serving
Pasta Water - Make sure to save some after cooking the pasta

How To Make Copycat Carbone Spicy Rigatoni

Cook Pasta - Start by getting a big pot of salted water boiling and cooking the pasta to al dente.
Cook Onions and Calabrian Peppers - While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, salt, and pepper and cook until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and Calabrian chili peppers and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add Tomato Paste and Vodka - Add the tomato paste to the peppers and cook while stirring for a couple of minutes until dark red. Pour in the vodka and cook for another minute or so.
Stir in Heavy Cream - Stir in the heavy cream, stirring well to combine.
Add Pasta - Add the al dente pasta to the sauce along with the pasta water and sugar, if using. Fold to coat the pasta and fold in the butter and parmesan cheese.
Taste and Serve - Taste the pasta and adjust the salt/pepper, if needed. Serve and enjoy!

Substitutions

Red Pepper Flakes - If you can't find Calabrian Chili Peppers, you can swap in red pepper flakes to add spice.

Variations

Chicken - For protein, you can cook some cubed or sliced chicken separately and serve on top of or fold into the pasta.
Halve the Recipe - This recipe makes a big batch to serve 6 people, but you can easily halve the recipe for a date night. The recipe steps remain the same.

Equipment

Large Pot - To cook the pasta.
Second Large Pot or Deep Sauté Pan - To make the sauce. If you have one large enough, you can toss the pasta right into the same pot.

close up of copycat carbon spicy rigatoni in a bowl

Leftovers and Storage

Due to the cream in the sauce, this pasta recipe is best served after making as the sauce can 'break' or get slightly oily when reheating. But leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Recipe Tips

Save the Pasta Water - Adding some of the reserved pasta water is key! The starch in the pasta water helps bind the sauce ingredients together and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
Cook Pasta until Al Dente - To avoid mushy pasta, be sure to only cook until al dente. The pasta will cook a little bit more when tossed with the hot sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does putting vodka in pasta do?

Adding vodka in a pasta sauce gives it the best texture. It helps the cream and tomatoes combine together. Because the sauce is cooked, almost all of the alcohol cooks off as well as the vodka flavor.

What taste does vodka add to pasta?

Vodka sauce doesn't taste like vodka! The main purpose is to improve the texture of the sauce - the only slight flavor it gives is a subtle bite that balances well with a creamy sauce.

What are Calabrian peppers and where can you buy them?

Calabrian chili peppers are an Italian Chile pepper grown in the Calabria region. They are a medium heat pepper, similar heat level to a Serrano pepper. You can buy them in a jar in most grocery stores - typically either in the condiment section near other jarred items (like olives) or hot sure, or in the international aisle.

Serving Ideas

Crusty Bread - You can't go wrong with a crusty baguette to help soak up some of the creamy sauce.
Side Salad - A Caesar salad or classic garden salad are great choices.

carbone spicy rigatoni copycat with parsley

Other Pasta Recipes

French Onion Pasta - The flavors of French Onion Soup in a filling, slightly creamy pasta recipe. Start with caramelized onions in a large pot then add the remaining ingredients, including the uncooked pasta.
One-Post Spinach Sausage Pasta - The perfect balance of creamy, slightly spicy, and comforting.
Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta - Just roast the butternut squash with onions and garlic then blend up with the remaining ingredients.

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