Name: Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 16 ounces pasta (Recommended shapes: cavatappi, penne or rigatoni); 1/4 pound pancetta (one thick slice), medium diced; 1/3 cup vodka (See Kelly's Notes below); 1 1/2 cups prepared marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade; 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream; Parmesan cheese, for serving

Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce

Kelly Senyei
30 November 30, 2011
34 Comments

Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce

I first made this recipe for Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce a few weeks ago for my best friend’s birthday dinner. He inhaled two big bowls of it and then moved on to a Monster Cookie sundae … before revisiting the kitchen for “just one more bowl” of the creamy pasta. As you can imagine, I wasn’t far behind him in the Tour de Carbs.

You might be tempted by the smell of golden brown cubes of crispy, salty pancetta, or perhaps you’re allured by the thought of eating vodka, ~~rather than~~ in addition to sipping and savoring it. But my main attraction to this recipe is its simplicity. I haven’t had as much time to cook weeknight meals recently (see: 320-page book project), but this recipe has made it possible to enjoy a homemade meal on Monday evenings, knowing I also have hot lunches and dinners for the week ahead. I pair a bowl of the pasta with an arugula salad tossed in my quick-fix balsamic-garlic dressing and a few curls of Parmesan.

Pasta with Pancetta and Vodka Sauce

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

16 ounces pasta (Recommended shapes: cavatappi, penne or rigatoni)
1/4 pound pancetta (one thick slice), medium diced
1/3 cup vodka (See Kelly's Notes below)
1 1/2 cups prepared marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Place a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add the diced pancetta, sauteing it until golden brown.

Once all of the pancetta is browned, add the vodka to the pan and cook it until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes.

Add the prepared marinara sauce to the pan, then whisk in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until al dente.

Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce, tossing to coat.

Serve the pasta topped with Parmesan cheese.

Kelly's Notes:

If you don't have a non-stick pan, add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to a regular pan, then add the diced pancetta and continue the method of preparation above.

As the age-old rule stands, never cook with alcohol (or wine) that you wouldn't drink. Although it's tempting to skimp on the vodka and opt for a cheap brand, I encourage you to splurge on the higher-end varieties, as it really does impact the flavor of the sauce.

Ask the butcher at your local supermarket about purchasing a thick slice of pancetta. But if one thick slice isn't an option, you can use the pre-packaged thin slices that are widely available.