Trader Joe’s Vodka Sauce Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Vodka Sauce is a rich, creamy, and restaurant-quality recipe, which is a perfect homemade copycat using a few key ingredients from TJ’s. The sauce is velvety smooth with a bright, tangy tomato flavor, balanced by a splash of vodka and heavy cream. It’s an impressive yet surprisingly easy weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.

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Trader Joe’s Vodka Sauce Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Olive Oil or Butter
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• 1 (4 oz) tube Trader Joe’s Tomato Paste
• ½ cup vodka (like Trader Joe’s Monopolowa Vodka)
• 1 (28 ounce) can Trader Joe’s Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 pint (2 cups) Trader Joe’s Heavy Whipping Cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Trader Joe’s Parmesan Cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• For Serving: 1 pound of Trader Joe’s Italian Penne Rigate

How To Make Trader Joe’s Vodka Sauce

1. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
2. Build the Flavor Base: Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2-3 minutes. This step deepens the tomato flavor and removes any raw, canned taste.
3. Deglaze with Vodka: Carefully pour the vodka into the saucepan. Let it bubble and cook for about 2-3 minutes, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the strong alcohol smell has cooked off.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Finish with Cream and Cheese: While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta according to the package directions. Just before serving, reduce the sauce’s heat to the lowest setting. Slowly stir in the heavy cream until combined, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until it has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
6. Combine and Serve: Stir in the fresh basil and parsley. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Add the hot, drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding a splash of the starchy pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• How to get a perfectly silky sauce? The secret is to add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese at the very end, over a very low heat. Never let the sauce boil after you’ve added the dairy, as this can cause it to break or become grainy.
• Why do I have to cook the tomato paste? “Toasting” the tomato paste in the pan for a couple of minutes is a pro-chef trick that caramelizes its sugars and develops a much deeper, richer, and less acidic tomato flavor for your sauce.
• The Starchy Pasta Water is Key! Don’t skip this step. Reserving a splash of the hot, starchy water you cooked your pasta in is a classic Italian secret. It helps to emulsify the sauce, making it extra creamy and ensuring it clings perfectly to every piece of pasta.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This sauce is a perfect make-ahead meal. You can prepare it up to the point before adding the cream and cheese. Let it cool and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, gently reheat the tomato base on the stove, then proceed with adding the cream, cheese, and fresh pasta.

What To Serve With Vodka Sauce

This is a classic Italian-American sauce that is a complete and satisfying meal when tossed with pasta. It is perfect with:

• A sturdy pasta shape like Trader Joe’s Penne Rigate, rigatoni, or shells.
• A side of crusty garlic bread for sopping up the delicious sauce.
• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.

How To Store Vodka Sauce

• Refrigerate: Let the sauce cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat the sauce very gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. You may need to add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.

Vodka Sauce Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1 serving (sauce only)
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 10g
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Sodium: 950mg

Nutrition information is estimated for the sauce only and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Sriracha Tofu Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Harvest Salad Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Sangria Recipe