• EN
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Search

Serving Dumplings

Weeknight Dinner Ideas for Everyone

  • Home
  • Cooking Club
    • Join The Club
    • Cooking Club Recipes
    • My Account
  • About
    • Stuff I Use
    • About me
    • workshops
  • Recipes
    • Cooking Club Recipes
    • 30 minutes
    • Pasta | Rice | Barley
    • One Pot
    • Meat | Poultry
    • Fish | Seafood
    • Vegetarian
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Soup
    • Side Dishes
    • Bakery | Pastry | Sweets
    • Kid Friendly
    • Drinks
  • Cooking Videos
  • Converter
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • EN
Meat, Pasta | Rice | Barley, Quick meals  /  6.05.2022

Spicy Pasta alla Vodka with ‘Nduja

by Anna Chwistek
Anna Chwistek

Spicy Pasta alla Vodka with ‘Nduja. Imagine tender pasta tossed in a spicy tomato vodka sauce that’s super creamy, smooth and so delicious. The secret to this silky pasta? ‘Nduja sausage, cream and plenty of cheese. ‘Nduja adds a fiery layer of flavor and richness to this tasty pasta dish. Serve this 15-minute dinner up any night of the week. It’s next level delicious and not to mention that everyone loves a good creamy vodka pasta. Keep a spot in your heart for the classic vodka sauce, but try this one, too. Enjoy!

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja

If you’re cooking with ‘Nduja for the first time, it’s a spreadable, soft and spicy sausage from Calabria, that consists of pork meat and Calabrian red chilli peppers. It can be used in many ways, from spreading on bruschetta, swirling into risotto, topping a pizza to adding to pasta sauces. But unlike fresh sausage, it’s the kind of ingredient you can keep in the fridge for whenever the occasion arises. 
In this case, ‘nduja adds lots of deliciously rich and spicy flavors, and elevates your vodka sauce to the next level.

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja

This pasta is simple and focuses on the traditional flavors of pasta alla vodka, like garlic, a tomato base, cream and parmesan. The key is to use tomato paste and grated garlic for a silky smooth and fast result. We slowly sweat the garlic in olive oil to release its flavor, then stir in the tomato paste and ‘nduja sausage, cook those for a couple of minutes to really help intensify the flavors in the sauce. 

Next vodka goes into the pan, it adds a sharp bite that helps to boost the flavors and intensify the aroma of the tomato sauce. We slowly let the vodka simmer into the sauce to cook out the alcohol. Once that’s done, stir in cream and toss with the pasta.

This one will leave you with nothing but excitement for dinner. It’s really good, like roll-your-eyes-back good… and next time you’re having some friends over, knock their socks off with this deliciously amazing recipe.
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO.

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja

RECIPE NOTES

  • ‘Nduja is a spicy sausage, if you’d like to try it but you’re afraid your pasta will be too spicy, use just 50 g/2 oz for a milder taste… and if you like your vodka sauce blow-your-socks-off spicy, add as much ‘nduja as your heat loving taste buds will allow
  • you can find ‘Nduja in a larger supermarket, in shops that specialize in Italian products or online
  • the leftovers are just as delicious!
  • you can also prepare this dish in advance, keep the pasta and sauce separate in the fridge and reserve some cooking water. Then combine, reheat before serving and add a splash of the cooking water, and done!
  • serve with a big side salad

And the pasta?

I love to use shells. They’re able to catch plenty of sauce, but use any short cut pasta you love or have on hand.

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja

Try These Next

  • Linguine with Creamy ‘Nduja Tomato Sauce
  • Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • Pepperoni Pizza with ‘Nduja and Hot Honey

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja

Cooking Video

Spicy Pasta alla Vodka with ‘Nduja
This post contains affiliate links which means a portion of the proceeds go to me, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Serving Dumplings.

Yield: serves 4

Spicy Pasta alla Vodka with 'Nduja

spicy pasta alla vodka with nduja
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 10.5 oz/300 g pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 tsp each: salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme
  • 4.5 oz/140 g double concentrated tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup/80 ml vodka
  • 1 cup/240 ml cream 20% fat
  • 3.5 oz/100 g 'nduja sausage, less for a slightly spicy taste
  • 1.5 oz/40 g grated Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Scoop up 1/2 cup cooking water and drain the pasta.
  2. While the pasta is boiling, prepare the sauce. Start by grating the garlic.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over low. Add garlic and sweat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in spices, add tomato paste and increase the heat to high. Stir almost constantly and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in 'nduja sausage and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Add vodka, stir and simmer for 2 minutes over low. Pour in cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan, add the pasta and ¼ cup cooking water, toss to combine. Stir until the sauce thickens slightly, and the pasta is coated with a silky saucy layer. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the remaining pasta water, if needed. Finish off with black pepper. Serve immediately!

Notes

Calories Per Serving: 572 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know! Leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram and don’t forget to tag me with @anna_s_table or #servingdumplings I’d love to see what you’re making. Happy cooking!

© Anna Chwistek
Category: Pasta | Rice | Barley

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE RECIPE PDF

And …IF YOU LOVE THESE RECIPES … please consider supporting my work for just the cost of a cup of coffee.

Buy Me A Coffee

Sign up for my NEWSLETTER to receive the latest recipes delivered straight to your inbox.

Tags

  • pasta
  • quick meals
  • sausage
  • tomatoes

Post navigation

Prev: Easy Beef Goulash
Next: Crispy Gnocchi with Creamy Feta Sauce

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anna | Studio Kuchnia

Anna | Studio Kuchnia
eat. real food.
packed with flavor.
sometimes chocolate too.

Anna.

Follow me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

If you love these recipes …

… please consider supporting my work for just the cost of a cup of coffee.

Buy me a coffee

Saveur Blog Awards Winner - Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners

Search

Popular

  • spicy coconut curry ramen Spicy Coconut Curry Ramen
  • creamy tuscan chicken orzo Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
  • Balsamic Wild Mushroom Pasta
  • one pot salmon alfredo orzo One Pot Salmon Alfredo Orzo
  • Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Join Our Community

Signup to my free weekly newsletter and receive the latest recipes straight into your mailbox!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

  • Home
  • About
  • Converter
  • Contact
  • Legal notice
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Saveur Blog Awards Winner - Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners
  • Copyright © 2013 - 2023 Serving Dumplings
  • Website by Crafted
Skip to Recipe