This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make my Gigi Hadid pasta recipe, and you’ll see it’s worth the hype. It features al dente pasta tossed in a creamy tomato-vodka sauce with fresh herbs…and it’s SO easy!
Weeknight meals are synonymous with pasta in my house. While I enjoy experimenting, sometimes I need a fuss-free and foolproof dish. Que, Gigi Hadid’s pasta.
For this recipe, I scoured the internet to learn what makes Gigi Hadid’s pasta so famous. After endless recipe testing (and perhaps a vodka martini in between), I’ve finally mastered her recipe, but with a few twists to make a more decadent vodka sauce.
What is Gigi Hadid pasta?
Technically, this viral recipe isn’t new. Rather, it’s a slightly revamped version of a spicy vodka pasta recipe made famous by the supermodel Gigi Hadid. It features pasta in a tomato-based vodka sauce with a touch of cream, red chili for some heat, and fresh herbs to tie it together.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Fit for every occasion. It’s impressive enough to make when I’m hosting yet simple enough to whip up for a more casual weeknight dinner.
- It’s SO easy. If you can boil pasta and simmer sauce, you can make this. Heck, even if you can’t, I’ll break it down so you look like a true professional.
- Quick. Including prep time, you’re looking at under 30 minutes.
- Pure comfort food. What on earth is more comforting than a massive bowl of creamy pasta? Go on, I’ll wait…
Hungry for more pasta recipes? Try my pastina, pesto pasta bake, or protein mac and cheese next.
Ingredients needed
- Olive oil. To sauté the aromatics. I prefer extra virgin olive oil as it imparts the most flavor.
- Onion. You’ll need one finely chopped red onion. You can also substitute white onions or even shallots.
- Garlic. I prefer freshly minced garlic, but I’ve used jarred garlic in a pinch.
- Tomato paste. For a bold, concentrated tomato flavor and rich color. You can also blend up my fire roasted tomatoes for a more intense, smoky flavor.
- Cream. I used heavy cream, but double cream also works.
- Vodka. In sauce, vodka adds richness and a more complex layer of flavor. It will all be cooked out, so there shouldn’t be any alcohol in the recipe. If you’d rather not cook with it, use equal portions of broth and one teaspoon of rice wine vinegar.
- Red pepper flakes. For the ‘spicy’ in spicy vodka pasta sauce!
- Salt and black pepper. To season.
- Pasta. Gigi uses shell pasta, which I also prefer since it carries the sauce nicely. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Pasta cooking water. To adjust the pasta sauce consistency. I prefer this over plain water as the starch in the pasta water helps the sauce adhere to the noodles.
- Butter. For extra richness. Use unsalted butter so you have more control over the saltiness.
- Parmesan cheese. Opt for a block of parm and freshly grate it into the pasta. Pre-shredded cheese also works, but the flavor of freshly grated cheese is more authentic.
- Fresh parsley and fresh basil. To garnish.
How to make Gigi Hadid pasta
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Cook tomato and aromatics. Add the garlic and onion to a large saucepan. Once soft, add the tomato paste and cook briefly.
Step 2- Build the sauce. Add the cream and vodka and simmer until the alcohol evaporates. Add the seasonings, stir, and remove from the heat.
Step 3- Cook the pasta. In a large pot, cook the pasta to al dente, strain, and reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water.
Step 4- Combine. Fold in the butter and stir until it melts, then add the pasta, reserved pasta water, and parmesan. Once combined, serve with fresh herbs.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Cook the pasta to al dente. It’ll continue cooking briefly once everything is combined, so only boil it until it’s firm but has a slight bite.
- Add protein. Add cooked shrimp, chicken, plant-based meat, or even meatballs.
- Make it vegan. Use plant-based cream and sub the parmesan for nutritional yeast.
- Adjust the heat. The amount of red chili flakes is only a suggestion, so feel free to taste as you go and add more if desired.
What to serve with this pasta
This dish is the perfect main course all on its own, but if you want to pair it with sides, I suggest something light like a wedge salad, sautéed Brussels sprouts, or air fryer garlic bread to soak up the spicy vodka sauce.
Frequently asked questions
There is only one tablespoon of vodka in the recipe, so omitting it will save you about 35 calories.
Yes, if you’d rather not use vodka, use vegetable broth or chicken broth, and add a teaspoon of rice vinegar or lemon juice.
More viral recipes to try
- Cloud bread pizza
- Cottage cheese alfredo
- Jennifer Aniston salad
- Boursin cheese pasta
- Cottage cheese flatbread
Gigi Hadid Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 small red onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vodka
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 1/2 ounces shell pasta uncooked
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil, garlic, and onion and cook until soft. Add tomato paste and cook until it starts getting darker color.
- Add the heavy cream followed by vodka, and cook for one minute until the alcohol evaporates. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and combine well. Remove the sauce from the heat.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, reserving ¼ cup of the liquid, and drain it.
- Add the butter to the sauce and stir over medium heat until it melts. Add pasta and cooking water to the sauce and stir well. Add parmesan and combine everything.
- Serve with some chopped fresh herbs.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published July 2023, updated and republished November 2024
Many times I heard vodka is going in dish with pasta but I actually never tried!
Very good recipe with pasta. Seems very tasty.
Very tasty and easy to make. Absolutely recommend to everybody.
Just cooked this, substituted cream with coconut cream and vodka with vegie stock (save me a trip out) and it’s delicious! So quick and tasty.
Looking forward to trying with vodka and cream. 🙂
I made this using Banza pasta. I didn’t have heavy cream but I did have coconut milk which worked just fine. This was so delicious! My husband was a huge fan as well. I will be making it again and again.
Great flavor! Easy to make. Will be adding to the dinner rotation.
I love this recipe but have to forgo pasta right now. I’m thinking the sauce would be amazing over shredded chicken or on a piece of white fish with riced cauliflower. Thanks!