Description
Ingredients
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4.6 ounces tomato paste, one whole tube
- 3 tablespoons vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup parmesan, grated fresh
- 20 ounces cheese tortellini
Instructions
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In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 garlic cloves, 1 shallot, and 5 fresh basil leaves. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
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Pour in 3 tablespoons vodka and simmer for 1-2 minutes, letting the alcohol reduce.
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Add 4.6 ounces tomato paste (one tube) and stir continuously. Cook until the paste turns a brick red and slightly golden brown.
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Lower the heat to medium low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, and let the sauce simmer gently while you cook the pasta.
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In a separate pot, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 20 ounces cheese tortellini until al dente, about 2-3 minutes, or per package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
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Add cooked tortellini directly into the sauce along with 1/2 cup grated parmesan. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
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Season with additional salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and garnish with extra parmesan cheese and basil leaves.
Notes
Let your heavy cream come to room temperature before adding it to the pan—adding cold cream to hot tomato paste can cause curdling.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water—a splash of it can help the pasta sauce cling to each tortellini beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian American