Tasty and Easy – the Perfect any night meal for the two of you
with leftovers for lunch the next day.
I have not been a huge fan of pasta meals for awhile. After a couple of years of low carb dieting I just avoided them at home and only ate pasta occasionally when out to dinner. Poor Greg…it’s his favorite meal.
So…he was pretty happy when I suggested this pasta dish and believe me, I was extremely pleased with the results. It’s quick and easy to prepare and just about the tastiest meal ever. With just a few ingredients, you can take this meal from start to finish in about 25 minutes.
One thing to keep in mind is that the vodka taste is very strong until the mixture has reduced and the cream and pasta are added. So don’t be concerned if you’re a taster as you go. Just know that once that vodka has reduced it adds a unique taste to the pasta sauce and makes an awesome meal.
As for low carb eating…well I still believe it’s the best way for me to maintain weight but when it comes to something tasty like this, I’ll just control my portions and enjoy!
Tortellini with Vodka Sauce
Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
6 servings
- Olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- A couple tablespoons of Italian spices
- 1 24 oz jar of store bought Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup vodka (I used a Peppar Vodka for a bit of spice)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- Salt and Pepper to taste (go easy on the salt until the cheese is sprinkled)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 pound tortellini
Pour a little olive oil in a heavy skillet and sauté garlic and the Italian spices for a few minutes. Add Marinara Sauce and vodka and simmer over low heat until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir the cream into the tomato and vodka sauce. Simmer over low heat until the sauce is heated through. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended. Salt and Pepper to taste.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the sauce, and toss to coat.
