Description
Gigi Hadid’s viral pasta is a creamy, rich tomato-cream pasta made with garlic, tomato paste, heavy cream, and Parmesan. This simple yet indulgent dish comes together quickly and delivers restaurant-quality flavor with customizable spice.
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni, penne, or shells)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vodka (optional)
- 1/2–1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens slightly.
- If using vodka, stir it in and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream. Add red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce gently simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add cooked pasta, butter, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until pasta is evenly coated and sauce becomes creamy.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add more pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve hot with extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Reduce or omit red pepper flakes for a milder version.
- Vodka is optional and adds depth but the dish is delicious without it.
- For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
