By now, you would all have come across the viral vodka pasta recipe that took the world by storm in the early stages of the pandemic back in 2020. I mean, how could it not be a hit? Blending two of our favourite things – pasta and alcohol – was always going to end in a very merry union of fiery flavours. And while there are several renditions and interpretations of the recipe on the internet, it's not so easy to find a vegan vodka pasta to tantalise the tastebuds.

Thankfully, Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw from Keep it Cleaner are letting us in on their secret recipe, and boy, is it delicious. Our ideal comfort meal has officially been given the vegan treatment and we can't wait to dive in.

Vegan Vodka Pasta Recipe

Serves 5

Ingredients

400 rigatoni pasta 

1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

170g brown onion 

4 garlic cloves 

130g tomato paste 

1/4 tsp chilli flakes  

2 tablespoons Vodka 

170g low fat coconut milk

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon black pepper  

Basil leaves, for garnish

Method

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al-dente. (Note: you want to undercook the pasta slightly as it will continue to cook when mixed with the sauce).
2. Peel and finely chop onion and garlic.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring constantly until golden; approximately 5 minutes.
4. Add tomato paste and chilli flakes and cook, stirring constantly until the paste begins to darken and caramelise; about 8-10 minutes. 
5. Add vodka and cook, stirring constantly until evaporated; approximately 4-5 minutes. (You shouldn’t be able to smell the alcohol anymore).
6. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and add coconut milk, stirring constantly until a smooth sauce forms. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Use a heat proof cup to transfer ~1/2 cup of pasta water to the pan, stirring gently until a glossy sauce forms. 
8. Once the pasta is cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer pasta to the pan, then garnish with basil leaves and serve with your favourite salad. 

Note: add more pasta water to the sauce if too thick or dry.