✔ Updated · fixed amounts, step photos, our own video and a vodka-free option
This is my take on the Gigi Hadid pasta that took over everyone's feeds: a creamy, gently fiery tomato sauce with garlic, chili flakes, a splash of vodka and plenty of Parmesan. It's on the table in about 20 minutes.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Cook the tomato paste until it turns deep brick red before anything else goes in. That few minutes of frying is where all the rich, sweet flavor comes from.
Why You'll Love This Pasta
- Twenty minutes, start to finish.
- Pantry ingredients, with tomato paste doing the heavy lifting.
- Your heat level, from a gentle warmth to properly fiery.
What Is Gigi Hadid Pasta?
It's a spicy vodka pasta Gigi Hadid shared online in 2020, and it went viral almost overnight. Tomato paste, cream and chili flakes make a rich, pink-orange sauce that clings to short pasta. This is my homemade version, inspired by hers.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Vodka-free option. Skip the vodka and add a splash of pasta water plus a squeeze of lemon. When I'm out of vodka, a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce also adds a nice depth.
- About the alcohol. A short simmer cooks off most of the vodka, but not quite all of it. If you're cooking for kids or anyone avoiding alcohol, use the vodka-free option.
- Butter at the end. Parmesan can make the sauce a little sticky and heavy. My fix is a knob of butter stirred in at the end: it loosens everything and makes it silky.
- Pick a shape that grabs. Shells, penne and fusilli hold the sauce in every nook.
- Don't boil the cream. Keep it at a gentle simmer so it stays smooth and doesn't split.
Gigi Hadid-Inspired Spicy Vodka Pasta
3
servings5
minutes15
minutes620
kcal20
minutesA spicy vodka pasta inspired by the viral Gigi Hadid recipe: shallot and garlic softened in olive oil, tomato paste cooked until brick red, a splash of vodka simmered off, then cream, chili flakes, butter and Parmesan tossed with short pasta. Serves 2 to 3.
Ingredients
8 ounces short pasta, such as shells, penne or fusilli
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 shallot, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon vodka (or see the vodka-free option)
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup Parmesan, finely grated, plus more to serve
1 small handful fresh basil, chopped
to taste salt and black pepper
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Directions
- Cook the pasta in well-salted boiling water until 1 minute short of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until soft but not browned.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, moving it around the pan, until it darkens to a deep brick red.
- Add the vodka and let it bubble for about 1 minute, stirring and scraping the pan.
- Lower the heat, stir in the cream and chili flakes and simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and pink-orange.
- Add the pasta, butter, Parmesan and a splash of pasta water and toss until glossy and every piece is coated. Season, stir in the basil and serve with extra Parmesan.
Recipe Video
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More Viral and Easy Pasta
Next, try the viral TikTok baked feta pasta or my speedy tuna pesto pasta. If your tomato sauces taste sharp, my guide on how to reduce acidity in tomato sauce helps, and types of pasta helps you pick a shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Gigi Hadid's pasta sauce?
The viral recipe is a spicy vodka sauce made with olive oil, garlic, shallot, tomato paste, a splash of vodka, heavy cream and red pepper flakes, finished with butter, Parmesan and basil. My version follows the same idea with tested home amounts.
Can I make Gigi Hadid pasta without vodka?
Yes. Leave the vodka out and add a splash of pasta water and a squeeze of lemon juice when you'd add it. The sauce will be slightly less sharp but just as creamy and delicious.
Does the alcohol cook out of vodka sauce?
Most of it does, but not all. Simmering for a minute or two removes much of the alcohol, but some remains. Use the vodka-free version for children or anyone avoiding alcohol completely.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Half-and-half works if you keep the heat low, though the sauce is thinner. Mascarpone or full-fat cream cheese whisked in with a splash of pasta water also makes it rich and creamy.
How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of water or milk, stirring until hot.
