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February 25, 2021 Dinner

Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

Name: Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: italian
Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ of a shallot, diced; ¼ cup tomato paste; 1 tablespoon vodka; ½ cup heavy cream; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1 tablespoon butter; Salt and pepper, to taste; ½ lb of pasta; ¼ cup pasta water; ¼ cup parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh basil, for garnish

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This exact Gigi Hadid pasta recipe went viral on Tik Tok and Instagram when model Gigi shared the recipe in 2020. This spicy, creamy vodka sauce pasta can be made with and without vodka and is absolutely delicious.

You might be thinking, Gigi Hadid pasta? What on earth is that. Well, I didn't know either, but APPARENTLY it is a deliciously creamy, spicy vodka pasta dish that Gigi posted on her Instagram stories and then it became viral on TikTok.

Now my Tik Tok knowledge begins and ends with my younger, cooler sister-in-law, but this pasta became so famous even I heard about it. And I knew I had to try it out myself. SPOILER ALERT: It's now my favorite pasta dish to make! You can see Gigi's original pasta recipe instagram post here. The ingredients below will show you the exact recipe Gigi used to make this dish!

If you're hungry for more, try out this Olive Garden Dressing Chicken Pasta Dish next!

spicy vodka sauce pasta in a pot topped with basil.

The reason this spicy vodka pasta recipe intrigued me so much is the fact that it looked so similar to one of my husband and I's favorite dishes from Al's Cafe, Goat Cheese Arrabiata. Upon making Gigi's pasta, I can confirm that it is very similar! Her pasta recipe is TECHNICALLY a spicy vodka sauce (without the vodka), but they both have similar components like heavy cream, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes. It actually mirrors Spicy Fusilli Arrabiata, too (another absolutely delish pasta dish!).

Does gigi hadid's pasta live up to the hype?

angled view of gigi hadid spicy vodka pasta.

You may be wondering if this is a new recipe or one that has been around. It's very similar to a traditional spicy vodka pasta sauce. So no, she didn't technically "create" this recipe. She did however share her version, and I want to give credit where credit is due. And the version she shares 100% lives up to the hype. It is creamy, spicy, cheesy, and absolutely delicious!

What pasta is used in Gigi Hadid Pasta?

In her recipe Gigi Hadid used little shell pasta (like you would see in sopa de conchas). I have made shells alla vodka, I have made linguine alla vodka, penne alla vodka, you get the drill. Any pasta shape is delicious with this recipe.

I used something called lumaconi or "large snails" here. It is a similar shape to shell pasta and I love the way the sauce gets all in the crevices of the noodles! Makes for an extra saucy bite.

Gigi Hadid pasta recipe ingredients

exact ingredients for gigi hadid pasta on a white background.

extra virgin olive oil
garlic
shallot
tomato paste
vodka
heavy cream
red pepper flakes
butter
Salt and pepper
pasta (penne, or another short pasta is what Gigi used)
pasta water
parmesan cheese
fresh basil (for garnish)

Step by step instructions for spicy vodka sauce pasta

Start by adding the olive oil to a large saucepan. Heat pan over medium heat and then add in shallots and garlic. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.

Add in tomato paste and cook until it starts to caramelize (it should look darker in color).

sauteed shallots in olive oil with a spatula in the pot.

tomato pasta added to shallots with spatula.

Next, add in your vodka (again in the Tik Tok video, the she makes her recipe without vodka, but this is where she says to add it!). Stir and allow the alcohol to cook off, about a minute. Add in heavy cream and stir to combine.

heavy cream added to tomato pasta in dutch oven.

Now's the time to add red pepper chili flakes. Add more than specified if you like it extra spicy!

measuring spoon adding in red pepper flakes to sauce.

Keep stirring until combined.

While you make the spicy vodka sauce, you should have your pasta cooking. Before sure to reserve pasta water before draining your noodles! I like to save a little more than the recipe calls for just in case I need it.

Just before adding the pasta, add the butter to the sauce and stir to make it "saucy" as Hadid says.

Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water and stir. Finish by stirring in shredded parmesan cheese until it melted. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Top the vodka pasta dish with fresh basil.

Gigi hadid pasta (with and without vodka)

When she first shared her vodka pasta, Gigi was pregnant. Although the majority of the alcohol does cook off when cooking, she still chose to forgo the ingredient entirely. So while Gigi Hadid's pasta on Tik Tok may not have had vodka, traditional vodka pasta sauce does.

Because it's supposed to be a spicy vodka sauce, and I had it on hand, I added it.

You can make this gigi hadid pasta without vodka, but if you are on the fence, I would say go for it! Adding the vodka helps to thin out the caramelized tomato paste before adding the heavy cream.

What can you add to top pasta alla vodka

plated tik tok pasta with silverware and basil to the side.

Now this recipe for vodka sauce pasta is absolutely delicious as is, but I added a few things before to add even more flavor, namely fresh tomatoes and goat cheese.

If you want to add extra protein you can also add chicken or shrimp! I think it would be delicious with this parmesan crusted chicken romano.

Storage and reheating

Store any leftover vodka sauce pasta in an airtight container in the fridge.

To reheat: add a splash of cream or chicken broth (a tablespoon or less) just to help break up the sauce a bit and make it creamy again. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Looking for more pasta recipes? Why not try my Olive Garden Copycat Steak Gorgonzola, Date Night Pasta, or Lemon and Arugula with Capellini?

4 servings