Ingredients:
- pasta (shell pasta or penne)
- ½ cup of olive oil
- 2 shallots (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2/3 cup of tomato paste
- 1 and 1/3 cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp of butter
- ½ tbsp of sugar
- salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp of vodka (optional)
- 1 tsp of fish sauce (optional)
- ½ tsp of red chili flakes (optional – if you like spice)
- fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a pot, boil some water. Once boiling, add in the pasta and a pinch of salt. Cook the pasta and reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- On medium heat, add ½ cup of olive oil to a skillet. Add the shallots and garlic. Stir until aromatic.
- Add 2/3 cup of tomato paste. Sauté until the paste gets darken.
- Pour in the vodka (optional). Stir for 2-3 minutes.
- Add heavy cream, sprinkle some red chili flakes and some dried basil. Stir evenly.
- Add butter, shredded parmesan cheese, ½ cup of pasta water, sugar and salt and pepper accordingly to taste. Mix everything together.
- Add 1 tsp of fish sauce (optional – I like to add 1 tsp of fish sauce to my vodka pasta but you do not have to.) Mix well.
- Toss in the cooked pasta, and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and extra shredded parmesan cheese. ENJOY!