Rigatoni alla Vodka

Rigatoni alla Vodka is a classic Italian-American pasta dish featuring tube-shaped rigatoni tossed in a creamy, vibrant tomato sauce that gets a subtle kick from a splash of vodka. The sauce is typically made with San Marzano tomatoes, heavy cream, and often includes pancetta or shallots for depth. It originated in Italy but gained massive popularity in the United States, especially in Italian-American communities.

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta and fat from the cream and any added cheese or cured meat, with a moderate amount of protein. A typical restaurant serving can range from 600 to 900 calories, providing calcium and lycopene from the tomatoes.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	450 kcal
Protein	12 g
Carbs	55 g
Fat	18 g
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	8 g
Sodium	800 mg
Potassium	350 mg
Calcium	120 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Vitamin A	450 IU
Vitamin C	15 mg
Vitamin D	0.2 mcg
Vitamin B12	0.5 mcg
Phosphorus	180 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, the vodka is not for flavor but is believed to help emulsify the tomato and cream into a smooth, cohesive sauce while unlocking certain flavor compounds. Nutritionally, the tomato base offers lycopene, an antioxidant whose absorption is enhanced by the fats in the cream.