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Home » Recipes » Single Serving Dinners

By Joanie Zisk Published: Dec 29, 2018 · Updated: Apr 26, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Pasta alla Vodka For One

Jump to Recipe
a bowl with pasta and red sauce with bits of tomatoes wrapped around a fork.

Quick and easy Pasta alla Vodka recipe for one - A rich, creamy sauce made with onions, garlic, tomatoes, a splash of vodka and a touch of cream served over pasta. An incredibly delicious single serving meal!

a white bowl filled with pasta and a vodka sauce next to a  white napkin

Recreating my family's favorite Pasta alla Vodka recipe into a single serving recipe has been on my to-do radar for months.

Pasta with vodka sauce is one of my family's most requested recipes. In fact, my son who lives in Austin, Texas has been begging me to create a single serving version of it for such a long time.

Why This Recipe Works

Vodka sauce is such a simple sauce to make.

The key ingredients in vodka sauce are olive oil, onions, tomatoes, a few spices, cream and of course, vodka. All the ingredients cook together in one pan and within minutes, you've got a rich and creamy sauce worthy of your favorite pasta.

How To Make Vodka Sauce

  1. Cook the onions and garlic in a little olive oil in a pan until they're soft.
  2. Add the vodka to the onions and garlic and let everything cook for a few minutes.
  3. Add in a cup of canned diced tomatoes, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook for a few minutes, then add in a touch of cream.

As the vodka sauce gently cooks, the cream begins to thicken the sauce. The vodka sauce doesn't take long to make. In the time it takes you to boil your water for the pasta, you can make the sauce.

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Expert Tips

  • Instead of buying a large bottle of vodka, I buy the smaller 50 ml "mini" bottles. With these, you'll have just a little bit of vodka leftover to use again in this recipe or to add to a cocktail to enjoy while you are cooking.
  • This dish is great as is, but you might like to consider adding in other ingredients such as Italian sausage, meatballs, or mushrooms.

RELATED: The Best Soup Recipes For One

a fork holding pasta with tomatoes in a sauce in a white bowl on a silver tray

Frequently Asked Questions

What Pasta Should I Use With Vodka Sauce?

I love using larger noodles such as pappardelle to mix with my vodka sauce but I also love using penne pasta too.
When cooking for one, ¾ of a cup of uncooked penne or other similar shaped pasta is a good amount. When cooked, you should have about 1 ½ cups of pasta.
If you're using a pappardelle pasta (shown in the pictures), plan on using 2-3 nests. When you purchase a package of pappardelle at the grocery, the dried pasta is already in little circles inside the package. I call these circles, nests and I think 3 is a good amount for one person.
If you're looking for a low carb pasta substitute, consider making a serving of spaghetti squash.

What Do You Do With Leftover Vodka?

* One answer would be to make a vodka cocktail. You might like to try this Vodka Mimosa recipe:
You will need:
3 ounces orange juice
1 ounce vodka
Champagne
To make: Pour orange juice into a champagne flute. Add the vodka, top off with champagne and enjoy!
Other ideas include:
* Use leftover vodka to remove unwanted odors - Mix together 4 ounces of water, 4 ounces of vodka, and 12-15 drops of essential oils together and pour into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle and spray on any area that needs to be cleaned, then wipe off.
* Use as an insect repellent
* Infuse with candy - Pour vodka into a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, fill the jar about two-thirds of the way. Add a handful of either peppermints, candy corn, red hot candies, or skittles. Cover the jar and let it sit on the counter overnight. The next day strain out the candy and enjoy! Don't let the candy infuse for longer than 24 hours. If you do, you'll be left with a sludgy, unappetizing mess.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this Pasta alla Vodka For One, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

  • Pasta: Hamburger Casserole, Pasta Primavera, Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables
  • Onions: Cioppino, Zuppa Toscana, Chicken Spaghetti
  • Garlic: Guacamole Salad, Roasted Garlic, Olives, and Feta, Pesto
  • Diced tomatoes: Beef Chili, Chicken Cacciatore, Shrimp Creole
  • Red pepper flakes: Portobello Mushroom Pizza, Shrimp Scampi
  • Cream: Banana Cream Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Alfredo Sauce
  • Parmesan: Parmesan Crisps, Buttered Noodles, Eggplant Parmesan
  • Olive oil: Seared Scallops, Spinach Manicotti, Baked Ziti

RELATED: Single Serving Comfort Food Recipes

Other Single Serving Pasta Sauce Recipes

  • Pomodoro Sauce
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Tomato Sauce
  • Meat Sauce

RELATED: 20 Single Serving Meatless Recipes

Enjoy!

For information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried this Pasta alla Vodka or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!

Pasta with Vodka Sauce For One | Onedishkitchen.com

Pasta alla Vodka For One

Easy to make Pasta alla Vodka For One - a rich and creamy sauce made with onions and garlic, diced tomatoes, a splash of vodka and a touch of cream.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 865kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

  • 10-inch skillet

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup dried penne pasta (or 3 nests of Pappardelle pasta)
  • ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic , chopped
  • 2 tablespoons vodka
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes , with the juices
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a medium sauté pan on medium heat.
  • Add the onions and sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the garlic and sauté 1 minute more.
  • Add the vodka and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the cream and stir. Continue to heat for 5 minutes without bringing sauce to a boil.
  • Stir in ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese.
  • Add the pasta to the pan and toss to coat.
  • Transfer pasta to a plate or a bowl and top with additional parmesan cheese.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Instead of buying a large bottle of vodka, I buy the smaller 50 ml "mini" bottles. With these, you'll have just a little bit of vodka leftover to use again in this recipe or to add to a cocktail to enjoy while you are cooking.
  • This dish is great as is, but you might like to consider adding in other ingredients such as Italian sausage, meatballs, or mushrooms.
Nutrition Facts
Pasta alla Vodka For One
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 865 Calories from Fat 549
% Daily Value*
Fat 61g94%
Saturated Fat 34g213%
Cholesterol 192mg64%
Sodium 2069mg90%
Potassium 698mg20%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 2395IU48%
Vitamin C 29.2mg35%
Calcium 540mg54%
Iron 3.4mg19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann Thornton says

    March 04, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    You do a fantastic service to we who live alone, but like to live we! BIG, BIG THANKS TO YOU JOANIE! Best wishes, Ann Thornton, Victoria, Australia.

    Reply
  2. Terri R says

    June 27, 2021 at 6:57 pm

    I made this dish with shrimp and light cream. It was AMAZINGLY simple and delicious. I've tried five of Joanie's recipes. ALL 5 were delicious. This is definitely a keeper!

    Reply
  3. Stacy says

    April 23, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    Another favorite, so good!! Never had it before until I came across this recipe and made it, so glad I did!!!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      April 24, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Diane Groves says

    October 26, 2019 at 2:48 am

    I'm glad I found your page. Life saver!!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      October 28, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Hi Diane,

      I'm glad you found us too! Welcome!!

      Joanie

      Reply
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