Vodka sauce also referred to as penne alla vodka, is a long-standing tradition in Italian culture. A sauce that began as a quick and affordable way to impress women has become a staple in Italian cuisine. The sauce is creamy, delicious, and unanimously loved by everyone who tastes it. Its name can bring about some confusion, but don’t be fooled! This sauce is absolutely delicious over any pasta dish. Before you go out and try some penne alla vodka yourself, let’s take a look at the history behind this traditional Italian icon.
What is Vodka Sauce?
Vodka sauce contains 3 major components: tomatoes, Italian herbs, and vodka. Strega by Nick Varano uses vine tomatoes mixed with heavy cream to create a smooth and velvety sauce served over penne pasta. Flour is occasionally added to the recipe to thicken the consistency if the sauce. Some chefs use fresh parsley to help balance out the weight of the cream in the sauce. Don’t forget the key ingredient: vodka! With hardly any heat, vodka can change the entire flavor profile of the dish and give it an added kick to balance the creamy sauce. Vodka sauce is a relatively simple recipe that can be attempted at home!
- Penne with Chicken: You will almost always find a variation of this dish on any Italian restaurant menu. This dish combines tender penne pasta, chicken bites, and a rich vodka sauce. Vegetables can also be paired with the dish.
- Lobster Alla Vodka: This dish combines two of the most delicious ingredients in the world. Lobster and vodka sauce. Strega offers this dish with a one-pound lobster, Fusilli, and Tomato Vodka Sauce.
- Spicy Alla Vodka: This is a dish unique to Strega’s menu. Pasta drenched with spicy vodka sauce is thrown into a parmesan cheese wheel and prepared table-side. If you love cheese, you will adore this dish.
The Origin of Vodka Sauce
The origin story for vodka sauce may vary depending on who you ask. Italians claim that the recipe was originated in a restaurant in the heart of Italy during the mid-’70s. Americans, however, claim that the sauce began by an Italian-American chef named Luigi Franzese at his restaurant in New York. Regardless of where the recipe began, there’s no denying the fact that the ingredients and cooking methods stem from traditional Italian cuisine. The recipe became popular because the ingredients used are very common and easily found. During the ’80s and ’90s, the recipe gained a reputation as something that was cooked by young men trying to impress their dates.
Try Vodka Sauce in Boston!
If you’re looking to get a taste of authentic Italian vodka sauce, what better place than the North End of Boston! The North End streets are lined with history. Along those beautiful streets sits a notable restaurant that serves authentic Italian cuisine. Strega by Nick Varano cooks only with the freshest ingredients and staying true to the traditional recipes and methods. Visit Strega for the best vodka sauce in all of Boston!
Pair your penne alla vodka with a stroll through the North End and enjoy the beautiful scenery, along with plenty of shops and activities to keep you busy. Finally, stop by The Original Strega to try the most authentic and exquisite Italian cuisine. Reserve your table today!
Contact our restaurant at 617.523.8481.
FAQs
Vodka sauce was definitively invented in by Armando Mei for his midtown restaurant Fontana di Trevi, debuting on the menu in 1967. Mei called his penne alla vodka, as the dish most often known as in the United States. It was a combination off tomatoes, vodka, and cream.
What is vodka sauce called in Italy? ›
Vodka sauce also referred to as penne alla vodka, is a long-standing tradition in Italian culture. A sauce that began as a quick and affordable way to impress women has become a staple in Italian cuisine.
What is the history of Gigi Hadid pasta? ›
The Gigi Hadid Pasta is nothing new, in fact it originated in Italy and is more commonly known as Spicy Vodka Pasta. It's a creamy tomato-based sauce that starts off with cooking down some onions and garlic.
Is vodka sauce ok for kids? ›
Melissa Willets at POPSUGAR reports that according to Dr. Rachel Prete, a pediatrician with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, pasta alla vodka is safe for children to consume because "traditional vodka sauce uses such a small amount of alcohol that it should evaporate out during cooking."
What is the short history of vodka? ›
Regardless of when or where it originated, a liquor called vodka was present in Russia during the 14th century. The beverage was popular mainly in Russia, Poland, and the Balkan states until soon after World War II, when consumption began to increase rapidly in the United States and then in Europe.
Can vodka sauce make you drunk? ›
To answer your question, no, you can't get drunk off vodka sauce. The sauce will have a small hint of the vodka's minimal flavor and some of its aroma. This is because most of the spirit will evaporate when allowed to cook.
Is vodka sauce just alfredo and marinara? ›
Is vodka sauce a mix of marinara sauce and alfredo? No. Alfredo sauce mixed with marinara sauce is known as pink sauce. While pink sauce and vodka sauce are both types of tomato sauce, they are not the same thing.
What is the point of vodka in vodka sauce? ›
In a vodka sauce, the vodka helps maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the creaminess to meld with the tomato base. And sure, you could use wine to the same effect, but in a sauce as rich as vodka sauce, it's better to use a small amount of alcohol that will impart as little of its own flavor as possible.
Is penne alla vodka actually Italian? ›
Penne alla Vodka is often attributed as an American dish, but it was actually invented by an Italian and first popularized in Italy. This, the original recipe, was tracked down by Italian food historian Luca Cesari.
Can you make Gigi Hadid pasta without vodka? ›
Gigi Hadid's Pasta Recipe went viral when she posted it on Instagram and TikTok, and for good reason! This restaurant quality spicy vodka pasta is luxuriously creamy and absolutely delicious. You can make it with or without vodka – it will be absolutely delicious either way.
Gigi eats an arugula salad, topped with smoked salmon, cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, virgin olive oil, and peach balsamic vinegar. A falafel pita sandwich is an equally healthy substitute and it is full of good fibers.
Does the alcohol cook off in vodka sauce? ›
Yes, vodka sauce does contain alcohol. But while vodka is a key ingredient in vodka sauce, it is not meant to be the star of the show. The amount of vodka used in a typical vodka sauce recipe is relatively small, and most, if not all, of the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process, leaving behind only the flavor.
Does Bertolli vodka sauce have alcohol in it? ›
Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Diced Tomatoes in Juice (Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid, Calcium Chloride), Light Cream, Onions, Vodka, Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part-skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Olive Oil, Romano Cheese Made from Cow's Milk (Pasteurized Part-skim Milk, Cheese ...
Is vodka sauce haram? ›
While vodka sauce is a popular choice for pasta dishes in many parts of the world, it has raised questions for Halal consumers following Halal dietary laws, as vodka is an alcohol-based product therefore is Haram to consume.
Why do they put vodka in vodka sauce? ›
In a vodka sauce, the vodka helps maintain a cohesive texture, allowing the creaminess to meld with the tomato base. And sure, you could use wine to the same effect, but in a sauce as rich as vodka sauce, it's better to use a small amount of alcohol that will impart as little of its own flavor as possible.
What is the history of vodka making? ›
Vodka production on a much larger scale began in Poland at the end of the 16th century, initially at Kraków, whence spirits were exported to Silesia before 1550. Silesian cities also bought vodka from Poznań, a city that in 1580 had 498 working spirits distilleries. Soon, however, Gdańsk outpaced both these cities.
Why is vodka sauce called pink sauce? ›
However, pink sauce is in a separate category as a popular variation of vodka sauce. Pink sauce gets its name from its color, and while some pink sauce recipes will use vodka sauce as a base and add more cream to taste, many pink sauce recipes will vary widely from vodka sauce dishes.
Is vodka sauce made from alfredo and marinara? ›
Is vodka sauce a mix of marinara sauce and alfredo? No. Alfredo sauce mixed with marinara sauce is known as pink sauce. While pink sauce and vodka sauce are both types of tomato sauce, they are not the same thing.
