Gigi Hadid’s easy-to-make vodka pasta is perfect for your next home cooked meal

By Leila Frankina

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, supermodel Gigi Hadid posted a video of herself making a homemade pasta recipe on her Instagram story. Since then, the recipe has gone viral on both Instagram and TikTok. Videos can be found all over the internet of people making the spicy and delicious pasta.

It is a common dish on Italian American menus, yet super easy to make from the comfort of your own home. You do not have to be a skilled chef to follow the recipe, and you get to make quick, high-quality pasta in your own kitchen. It does not take long either, as you should be able to serve the dish in under 30 minutes.

In order to make the pasta, you will need a few staple items. At the grocery store, be sure to pick up these ingredients:

• ½ box pasta (any type, Gigi uses shells)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 tbsp vodka
• Small clove of garlic
• ¼ Shallot (or any type of onion)
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt (as desired)
• Pepper (as desired)
• Basil (as desired)
• 1 tsp pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp butter

Even though this is a “vodka sauce” recipe, it can still be made without the vodka and taste almost exactly the same. In fact, when Hadid first posted this recipe on her Instagram story, she made it without vodka (later, the public learned she was secretly pregnant with her daughter, Khai, which explains why she omitted the vodka.)

Now, here is the exact recipe. The measurements yield enough for two people.

Step 1:

In large saucepan, heat olive oil. Add garlic, diced and shallot. Cook until soft.

Step 2:

Add tomato paste. Cook until darker and a bit caramelized.

Step 3:

Add vodka. Cook until almost evaporated.

Step 4:

Add heavy cream and  red pepper flakes. Stir until combined.

Step 5:

Season with salt and pepper. Then remove sauce from heat.

Step 6:

Cook pasta in a pot. Save ¼ cup pasta water before draining.

Step 7:

Add pasta to saucepan with remaining pasta water and butter. Stir over medium heat until butter melts.

Step 8:

Add Parmesan cheese and stir.  Top with more Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.

Whether you make it for your next dinner party, a date night, or a family meal, this dish will suit any occasion. Next time you find yourself with a box of pasta, give this recipe a try. It will certainly live up to your expectations!