Gigi Hadid pasta is a creamy vodka tomato pasta made with canned tomatoes, cream, basil, and Parmesan. It's quick, rich, and comes together in about 25 minutes with simple ingredients.
Why You'll Love It
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: It uses pantry basics, but the sauce turns out rich and balanced.
- Ready in About 25 Minutes: I like how quickly it comes together without feeling rushed.
- Creamy Without Being Heavy: The tomato and vodka keep the sauce from feeling too rich.
- Easy to Make Again and Again: Once you've made it once, it's the kind of recipe you don't need to think about.
I remember making a similar tomato pasta on evenings when I didn't want anything complicated but still wanted something warm and satisfying. The base always started the same: onion, garlic, and a good olive oil, letting everything soften slowly until the kitchen filled with that familiar smell. It has the same easy comfort I love in my cherry tomato pasta and garlic Parmesan chicken pasta, where simple ingredients turn into a cozy dinner.
Now, when I make this version, I keep that same approach but build it into a smoother, creamier sauce. The vodka helps balance the tomatoes so the flavor doesn't feel too sharp, and the cream brings everything together into something soft and cohesive. If you enjoy rich pasta dinners, my chicken fettuccine alfredo is another easy one to keep in rotation.
Key Ingredients in Gigi Hadid Pasta
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Olive Oil, Onion & Garlic: I start with extra virgin olive oil, onion, and garlic because they give the sauce its warm base. Letting them cook gently makes the pasta taste deeper and more homemade.
- Vodka & Canned Tomatoes: The vodka helps soften the acidity of the tomatoes, and I like using canned tomatoes because they create a rich, reliable sauce every time.
- Cream & Parmesan: I use heavy cream to make the sauce smooth and creamy, then Parmesan adds that salty, savory finish that pulls everything together.
- Pasta, Basil & Seasoning: The pasta holds all that creamy tomato sauce, while fresh basil, sea salt, and black pepper keep the flavor balanced and fresh.
How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, reserving ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Build the Flavor Base: Sauté finely chopped onion in extra virgin olive oil until soft, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Make the Tomato Vodka Sauce: Pour in vodka and simmer briefly to cook off the alcohol, then add canned tomatoes and basil; season with salt and let the sauce cook down.
4. Finish the Creamy Sauce: Stir in cream and simmer until thickened, then mix in pasta and reserved water as needed; finish with Parmesan and serve hot with extra cheese and basil.
Tips for Creamy, Balanced Pasta
Crush the Tomatoes Well: I like to break the canned tomatoes down with a spoon as they cook, so the sauce becomes smoother and coats the pasta better.
Keep the Sauce Gently Simmering: Don't let the cream sauce boil hard after adding the cream, or it can lose that smooth texture.
Taste Before Adding More Salt: Parmesan already brings saltiness, so I always taste the sauce after stirring it in before adjusting the seasoning.
Storage
I keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When I reheat it, I add a splash of cream or pasta water in the pan to bring the sauce back to life; it makes a big difference.
What to Serve with Gigi Hadid Pasta
I usually keep it simple and serve this Gigi Hadid pasta with a fresh tomato salad or a cucumber salad on the side. If I want something extra, a piece of crusty bread works well to pick up the sauce, and a light dessert after keeps the meal balanced.
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Recipe
Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 200 g pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion - finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 100 ml vodka
- 400 g canned tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon sea salt, and cook 7 oz (200 g) pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water, then drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat, add the finely chopped onion, season with ½ teaspoon salt, and cook until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in ⅓ cup (100 ml) vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the alcohol cooks off.
- Add 14 oz (400 g) canned tomatoes and cook until they begin to break down and the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
- Slice and stir in fresh basil leaves, then season with ¼ teaspoon black pepper and adjust salt if needed.
- Lower the heat, stir in ⅓ cup (100 ml) heavy cream, and let the sauce simmer gently until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water, tossing until evenly coated.
- Stir in ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese until melted and fully combined.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh basil on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
This looks so incredible! Adding this to my must-try recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Sandra says
I am obsessed with this creamy tomato sauce! Love how the pasta water helps create a silky smooth consistency. Thanks for sharing this recipe.