Cooking Steps

• Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the radiatore pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
• Sauté Ingredients: In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the freshly minced garlic and diced shallots, sautéing until fragrant and tender, about 4-5 minutes.
• Create the Base: Stir in crushed red pepper flakes and tomato paste, allowing it to cook for about 1 minute until aromatic.
• Add Vodka: Carefully pour in the vodka, using a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, enhancing the flavor.
• Incorporate Tomatoes: Add the crushed tomatoes and sugar to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until thickened for about 10 minutes.
• Mix in Cream: Pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is velvety smooth, which should take around 2 minutes.
• Combine with Pasta: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, gradually adding reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
• Serve and Garnish: Serve the spicy vodka pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for an extra burst of flavor.