Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka

Ingredients

• 2 cups Marta’s Roasted Tomato Salsa
• 1 lb rigatoni
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ cup sliced vidalia onion
• ¼ cup vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
• Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Cook the rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.
3. Add onion and cook for a couple of minutes, then add tomato paste.
4. Carefully add vodka and simmer for 1 minute to cook off the alcohol.
5. Stir in Marta’s Roasted Tomato Salsa and simmer for 3 minutes.
6. Add heavy cream and butter and cook until slightly thickened.
7. Toss in the cooked pasta with a splash of reserved pasta water as needed.
8. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.

Chef’s Note

Reserve more pasta water than you think you’ll need. A splash added at the end creates a silky, restaurant-style sauce that perfectly coats every piece of rigatoni. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper for the best flavor.