If you’ve spent your fair share of time on social media, this might look quite familiar to you – “Gigi Hadid” pasta recipe. Technically, the recipe that Gigi Hadid had go viral on social media is a penne alla vodka recipe – but, of course, we’re not going to use vodka – so this is a simple and flavorful creamy tomato penne 🍅🍝♡ ༘*.ﾟ

Today, we’re making Creamy Tomato Penne 🍅🍝♡ ༘*.ﾟ I posted a recipe similar to this about 4 years ago, when Gigi Hadid made a similar version trend across social media! I recently deleted it because my cooking style has changed since then. But the second I deleted it, I received so many DMs asking where it went…. (´｡• ◡ •｡`) I didn’t realize how many of you still make my older recipes often. So today, a new and improved recipe will be posted on the blog ❤︎

Few tips:

• Let the tomato paste darken and caramelize for 4-6 minutes, stirring often. This adds a sweet depth that balances out all that tomato flavor, and it’s worth the extra few minutes.
• Grating your own Parmesan makes a big difference in how creamy and smooth the sauce gets. Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt the same way, so if you can, go for freshly grated.
• Garlic burns fast, and when it does, it tastes bitter. So keep the heat low and let it cook until it’s soft and smells amazing – but not browned.
• Give it a taste and tweak the salt, pepper, or other seasonings to make sure it’s right where you want it.
• This recipe is best fresh!

Here’s a video to guide you along the process:

Process:

Creamy Tomato Penne

Penne alla vodka – but, of course, we’re not going to use vodka – so this is a simple and flavorful creamy tomato penne 🍅🍝♡ ༘*.ﾟ

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

Pasta:

• 1 lb penne

Pasta sauce:

• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 shallot finely minced
• 6 garlic cloves finely minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes can add more or less depending on preference
• 6 oz tomato paste one small can
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup reserved pasta water save more if needed
• 4 oz parmesan freshly grated
• 2 tbsp butter, unsalted

Garnish:

• freshly grated parmesan
• fresh basil leaves whole, or chopped

Instructions

 

Pasta✮⋆˙

• In a large pot of generously salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente – I boiled mine for 7 minutes . Reserve at least 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside with a quick rinse of cold water to prevent them from cooking further.

Pasta base✮⋆˙

• Make sure your shallot and garlic are as finely minced as you can make them – we dont want to chew on large onion and garlic chunks:,)
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallot and sauté for 4 minutes on low heat until it softens and becomes translucent. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until the aromatics are fragrant on low-medium heat.
• Add the tomato paste, stirring frequently as it cooks for 4-6 minutes on low to medium heat, to deepen the flavor and once it begins to caramelize slightly.

Sauce✮⋆˙

• Pour in the chicken broth, followed by the salt, white pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to combine, scraping up any caramelized bits for added flavor. Let this simmer for 1 minute to bring all the flavors together.
• Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, blending it into the sauce. Allow it to simmer on low-medium heat for another 4 minutes, letting the flavors meld.

Combine✮⋆˙

• Add the grated Parmesan and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring gently. Before the Parmesan melts entirely, add the al dente pasta. Let everything simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring , as the cheese melts and the sauce thickly coats each piece of pasta. Adjust with a bit more pasta water if needed – the goal is a creamy sauce that clings to our pasta – not loose and watery.
• Turn off the heat and add the butter, tossing until melted and the pasta has a nice shine.

Lastly✮⋆˙

• Finish with an extra grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves

Keyword 20 minute pasta, dinner idea, easy recipe, pasta