Rigatoni Alla Vodka Pasta with Mushrooms & Shrimp

Courtesy of Kristen Faith eats

One thing you'll notice from my recipe finds, is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE pasta. I could eat it every day, all day. This is a sauce I could eat on just about anything. It's creamy, spicy, and the rigatoni noodles hold so much of the sauce that every bite is amazing. The freshly grated parmesan and fresh basil is a must. If you're really feeling gluttonous, a piece of grilled bread to dip into the pasta sauce would be delicious as well!

Ingredients:

12oz Rigatoni

16oz Baby bella mushrooms sliced

1 Shallot minced

5 Garlic cloves thinly sliced

2oz Double Concentrated Tomato Paste (if you do not have double concentrated, that is ok!)

2/3 cup Vodka

14oz Tomato Passata

1Tbsp crushed Calabrian chiles (I recommended 1/2 tbsp to start and add more as needed)

1/2c heavy cream

1/2c freshly grated parmesan cheese

2tbsp olive oil

Pasta water

Salt and Pepper

1 tsp Red pepper flakes

Directions:

Step 1: In a large skillet on medium heat add olive oil. Once heated, add in mushrooms. Coat the mushrooms in the olive oil, add more olive oil if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Step 2: Sweat the mushrooms for 5-6 minutes. Add in shallots and garlic. Add 1 tsp red pepper flakes. Cook until translucent and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes).

Step 3: Squeeze in half a tube or 2 oz. of double concentrated tomato paste. Stir and cook until bright red turns to a rust color (2-3 minutes).

Step 4: Deglaze the pan with vodka and bring to a simmer. Scrape any bits that may be stuck to the pan. Simmer until reduced by half.

Step 5: Pour in 14oz Tomato Passata and if you want an extra kick of spice add crushed calabrian chilies. Bring to a simmer. Season with a little pinch of salt, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 6: Add in heavy cream and stir, simmer until thickened.

Step 7: Add cooked pasta, a ladle of pasta water. Toss.

Step 8: Add in freshly grated parmesan cheese, toss. Finish with a nice knob of butter. Stir and toss until a glossy sauce forms.