Gnocchi Alla Vodka
This easy Gnocchi alla Vodka combines soft, tender gnocchi with a silky, tomato-cream vodka sauce that’s bursting with garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion (finely diced)
- 1 Carrot (finely diced)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 3/4 cup Vodka (or Chicken Broth)
- (1) 28-ounce can Whole Tomatoes (or crushed)
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
- 3/4 to 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 lb. Gnocchi Pasta
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 6 to 8 Basil Leaves (cut into ribbons)
Optional:
- 1 Tablespoon Calabrian Chili Paste (optional) if you use this, omit red pepper flakes unless you want extra heat.
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add chopped onion and carrot and saute for 8-10 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute longer.
- Pour in vodka (or chicken broth), stirring to deglaze any browned bits. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the alcohol to burn off.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- For a smoother sauce, I suggest using an immersion blender or adding the ingredients to a blender. Be careful because the sauce will be hot!
- Once it has been blended, add the gnocchi and let it cook in the sauce. Add heavy cream. Stir in 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, setting aside the remaining cheese for garnish. Stir and taste for seasonings. Add more salt and pepper as needed.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan and fresh basil.
Notes
My favorite brands are DeLallo, Rana for fresh gnocchi.
My favorite shelf-stable brands, found in the pasta aisle, are De Cecco, DeLallo, and Trader Joe's. I love to use Cento San Marzano whole tomatoes.
My favorite shelf-stable brands, found in the pasta aisle, are De Cecco, DeLallo, and Trader Joe's. I love to use Cento San Marzano whole tomatoes.
