Garlic Butter Pasta alla Vodka with Melty Burrata.

Garlic Butter Pasta alla Vodka with Melty Burrata. This silky, smooth, and extra creamy pasta alla vodka is the perfect cozy recipe to make! Fresh pasta tossed in a garlicky, buttery, tomato and pesto vodka sauce that’s creamy and so delicious! The garlic, butter, and pesto add a vibrant layer of flavor and richness to this saucy and creamy pasta. Just before serving, add fresh burrata cheese and allow it to melt into the pasta. It’s so delicious!

I often say this, but the simplest recipes are the most wonderful. And they tend to be the yummiest, too!

My pasta alla vodka sauce is one recipe that I make on repeat, like all of the time. It’s a favorite dinner for my younger sister, Asher, who requests it probably weekly! She’s even made the pasta herself and served it to the family!

When I was thinking about Valentine’s Day recipes for this year, I just could not get past this idea. And when I shared it with both my mom and my cousin, Abby, they both said this was their #1 pick.

I created a garlic butter version of one of my family’s favorite pasta sauces! But what’s even more special than the garlic butter is the melty burrata cheese. It’s such a simple addition that really transforms this pasta all vodka!

Add some fresh herbs and lemon on top for a wonderfully simple way to freshen up a classic Italian pasta. This would be perfect for Valentine’s Day dinner, too! Finish with crusty bread and my favorite house salad on the side. Such an easy and romantic meal.

These are the details

Ingredients

• extra virgin olive oil
• salted butter
• shallots
• garlic
• dried oregano
• chili flakes
• tomato paste
• vodka
• basil pesto,
• heavy cream – or you can use canned coconut milk
• your favorite shortcut pasta – we love rigatoni or penne
• grated Parmesan cheese
• toasted pine nuts
• fresh basil and parsley
• lemon zest

Special Tools

For this recipe, you’ll need a skillet with high sides and a pasta cooking pot.

Steps

Step 1: make the alla vadka sauce

In a skillet with sides, or use a low braising pot, cook the olive oil together with the shallots and garlic. I use around 6 cloves of fresh garlic. This is the perfect amount of garlic that doesn’t feel overpowering to the sauce.

Now, mix in the butter and then add the tomato paste. The butter will brown around the garlic, and the tomato paste will thicken its texture.

From here, mix in the vodka, the cream, and the pesto. Let the sauce simmer on low while you finish the pasta.

Step 2: the pasta

Simply cook the pasta according to the package directions. When you’re ready to drain the water, save about a cup of the pasta cooking water. Use it to thin the pasta sauce after you add the pasta.

Step 3: add the pasta

Mix the hot pasta into the vodka sauce. Add some pasta water to thin if needed. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix everything together until very creamy.

Step 4: add the burrata

Now, gently stir in the burrata. Let it sit in the pasta for a few minutes to melt.

Step 5: make the herby pine nut topping

Olive oil, toasted pine nuts, basil, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Mix!

This is so fresh and yummy. I highly recommend adding this topping!

Step 6: serve

Serve the pasta, the sauce, and the burrata cheese in bowls. Top with the fresh herb topping and enjoy this while warm! Scrumptious!

So simple too – just what we love! I hope you, your family, and friends all enjoy this as much as we do!

Looking for other simple winter pasta dishes? Here are my favorites: 

4 Cheese Sage Pesto Florentine Lasagna

One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni

One-Pan Cheesy Spaghetti Pie

Lastly, if you make this Garlic Butter Pasta alla Vodka with Melty Burrata, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!