Gigi Hadid Pasta | Vegan and Vodka Free

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Gigi Hadid's pasta recipe has taken the internet by storm, with countless home cooks and foodies trying their hand at recreating her famous spicy vodka pasta. This simple yet flavorful dish features a unique combination of ingredients, including a spicy tomato sauce, vodka, and heavy cream, that combine to create a rich and creamy sauce perfect for any pasta shape. I also have vegan and vodka versions. Are you eady to make this viral sensation? Grab your apron, and let's get started.

A bowl of pasta garnished with basil and cheese.

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What is Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe?
Why You Will Love This Recipe
How This Recipe Went Viral
Ingredients
How to Make Spicy Vodka Pasta
Variations
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe

What is Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe?

Gigi Hadid pasta is a classic Italian-style pasta dish that features a spicy tomato sauce with the addition of vodka and heavy cream. The recipe was popularized by supermodel Gigi Hadid when she shared her version of the dish on social media.

However, Gigi Hadid's pasta is really spicy vodka pasta. Whether it originated in New York or Italy is a bit of a debate. However, while the exact origin of spicy vodka pasta is unclear, it has become a popular and beloved pasta dish worldwide.

The sauce for Gigi Hadid pasta is made by sautéing garlic in olive oil, then adding tomato paste and a generous amount of red pepper flakes for heat. Adding vodka to the sauce is thought to enhance the flavor of the tomatoes. Heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese thicken the sauce, giving it a rich texture and cheesy flavor.

When it comes to pasta state, you can use any shape you like. Popular shapes that work well with this recipe include shells, ditalini, penne, spaghetti, gemelli (spiral), macaroni, orecchietteor (small bowl shape), and fusilli. The important thing is to cook the pasta al dente, which means it should be cooked until it's tender but still has some bite. This will help the pasta hold its shape and texture when combined with the sauce.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

It is Easy to Make: Gigi's recipe is simple and perfect for cooks of every level.
It's Delicious: Gigi's recipe is a crowd-pleaser, with a rich and flavorful tomato sauce that's creamy and spicy. Adding vodka and heavy cream gives the sauce a unique flavor and texture, while the crushed red pepper adds a nice kick of heat.
It's Versatile: You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adjusting the level of spiciness or adding other ingredients like vegetables, seafood, or meat.
It's Cozy: The perfect meal to enjoy with your sweetie on a cozy romantic night.

How This Recipe Went Viral

Gigi Hadid's pasta recipe went viral for a few reasons. Firstly, Gigi Hadid is a well-known celebrity with a large following on social media, so when she shared her recipe on Instagram in April 2020, it immediately caught the attention of her fans and followers.

Secondly, the recipe itself is a simple yet delicious dish that is easy to make with readily available ingredients. It's a classic pasta recipe with a few unique touches, such as adding vodka and heavy cream to the tomato sauce, and spicy ingredients to add a kick of flavor.

Thirdly, the timing of the recipe's release coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which had many people cooking at home more than usual. Gigi's recipe provided a fun and tasty new meal option for people to try out in their own kitchens.

Finally, the recipe was widely shared on TikTok, with users putting their own spin on the dish and sharing their results with others. This helped spread the recipe's popularity even further, making it a viral sensation.

Ingredients

Pasta: This is the main ingredient and provides texture and substance.
Olive Oil: This is used to sauté the garlic and adds a rich, fruity flavor to the sauce.
Shallots: Add depth and complexity, providing a sweet and savory flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, savory flavor to the sauce.
Tomato Paste: Provides tomato flavor while keeping the sauce thick.
Heavy cream: Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce, creating a velvety texture that coats the pasta.
Vodka: Helps release the flavors in the tomato sauce. It also helps to create a creamy texture.
Red pepper flakes: Add heat and depth of flavor to the sauce. Adjust the amount used depending on your personal preference.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor to the sauce and thickens the sauce.
Salt and pepper: Added to bring out the sauce's flavors.

How to Make Spicy Vodka Pasta

Step One - Cool the Pasta: Cook desired pasta shape according to the directions. Once the pasta has cooked, save ½ of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the water. Add butter to the same pasta pot, and stir the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the pasta.

Step Two - Saute: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil until it begins to shimmer. Add the shallot and cook for two minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one additional minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for two more minutes.

Step Three - Sauce: Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream, vodka, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and add pasta water, pasta, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated into the rest of the ingredients. The stirring helps create a thick and creamy sauce.

Step Four - Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.

Picture steps of how to make the recipe.

In The Mood for Something Else?

Variations

Without Vodka

Gigi Hadid's pasta is really a pasta recipe that has been around since the 70s. The addition of vodka is believed to have enhanced the overall flavor. Honestly, I can't tell the difference between adding the vodka and vomiting the vodka.

Because Gigi Hadid was pregnant when she created the TikTok video, she omitted vodka from her pasta.

Vegan Option

Making a vegan version is easy; make these simple swaps:

Butter: Swap plant-based butter for dairy butter.
Cream: Use unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk for added creaminess.
Cheese: Substitute vegan cheese for parmesan cheese.

Vodka, Vegan, and Vodka-Free Ingredient Chart

To make it easier, I have created a chart for you to reference how to swap out the ingredients according to your preference.

Ingredient	Spicy Vodka Pasta	Vegan Spicy Pasta	Vodka-Free Spicy Pasta
Pasta	16 ounces	16 ounces	16 ounces
Butter	1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon - Sub plant-based butter	1 tablespoon
Olive Oil	¼ cup	¼ cup	¼ cup
Shallot	1 diced	1 diced	1 diced
Garlic	1 clove	1 clove	1 clove
Tomato Paste	¼ cup	¼ cup	¼ cup
Heavy cream	½ cup	Sub ¼ cup coconut cream + ¼ plant-based milk	½ cup
Pasta Water	1 cup	1 cup	1 cup
Vodka	1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon	N/A
Vodka	1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon	N/A
Crushed red pepper	1 - 2 teaspoons	1 - 2 teaspoons	1 - 2 teaspoons
Parmesan cheese	¼ cup	1 cup - Sub vegan parmesan cheese	¼ cup

Additions

Spicy vodka pasta tastes great as is. However, if you want to add some flavor complexity, consider adding sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, or shrimp. Actually, all three additions would taste great together!

Bowl of Spicy Vodka Pasta, Gigi Hadidi Pasta, cooked and tiled to the side.

Expert Tips

Here are my expert tips for making delicious spicy vodka pasta every time!

Cook the pasta al dente: Be sure to cook until it is al dente or slightly firm to the bite. Adding to the sauce will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy or overcooked.
Simmer the sauce: After adding the vodka and cream, let the sauce simmer for a few minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich, creamy sauce.
Adjust the spice level: The level of spiciness can be adjusted to suit your taste by adding more or less crushed red pepper flakes or other spicy ingredients.
Add the cheese off the heat: Once you have added the cheese to the sauce, remove the pan from the heat to prevent the cheese from clumping or separating.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Before serving, garnish the pasta with fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, for added flavor and freshness.

Reheating with cream. — Adding Cream to Re-Heat Leftovers

Frequently Asked Questions

What Protein Can I Add?

The best options to balance the heavy cream in Gigi Hadid pasta are tofu, shrimp, salmon, scallops, or grilled chicken breast.

Can Kids Have Vodka Sauce?

Kids can have vodka sauce if it is cooked properly. Experts suggest that traditional vodka sauce recipes only use a tiny amount of alcohol that it generally evaporates in the cooking process. Therefore, many pediatricians claim that vodka sauce for pasta should be safe for children.

How do I Store and Reheat Gigi Hadid Pasta?

After trying this bowl of amazingness, there is no doubt that you will be making a big batch of Penne Alla Vodka and eating it again.

Refrigerator Instructions: If you have leftover pasta, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days (if it lasts that long).

Reheat Instructions: Use a small-medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the pasta and put a splash of milk or cream to freshen it up. Stir till the pasta is heated, and enjoy!