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Fusilli alla vodka with pancetta and peppers

Fusilli alla Vodka with Pancetta and Peppers

What’s better than vodka sauce? Vodka sauce with pancetta and peppers! Silky, creamy, a little spicy, and loaded with pancetta and peppers—This pasta is so delicious!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 4 Ounce package pancetta cubed
  • 6 Tablespoons Amore tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Amore chili pepper paste
  • 2 Cloves garlic minced (or substitute 1-1.5 teaspoon of Amore Garlic Cooking Paste for each garlic clove)
  • ¾ Cup vodka
  • 1 4.4 Ounce Package Amore grilled peppers roughly chopped
  • 1 Cup heavy cream
  • 1 Cup Parmigiano Reggiano grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 Pound fusilli or other short pasta
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for serving

Instructions
 

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring, until the fat has rendered and it's starting to crisp; about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta to a bowl and set aside. Add the tomato paste and the chili pepper paste, stir, and cook until it darkens in color and begins to caramelize; 5-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the vodka, stir, and cook until alcohol has mostly evaporated; 3 minutes. Add the peppers and cream, stir, and cook until sauce has thickened; 5-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, salt the water. Cook the pasta to 2 minutes less than package directions for "al dente."
  • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain. Add the pasta to the sauce pan along with the cheese and ½ cup of the pasta water. Stir continuously until a thick, glossy sauce forms—adding more pasta water as needed; about 3 minutes. Add the pancetta back to the pan and give it one final stir.
  • Serve with more cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy!
Keyword alla vodka, cream sauce, Pasta, roasted red pepper
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