Fried Pasta Shells With Vodka Sauce Dip Recipes

FRESH PASTA CON VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Pasta: Put the flour in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and oil together and mix it into the flour. The dough should be firm enough to handle and not sticky. Adjust the consistency with additional flour or a few drops of water, if necessary. Knead the dough for 5 minutes. Roll it into a ball and then cover it with a kitchen towel. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Cut the ball into quarters. Stretch each quarter with a rolling pin, then cut them into thin or thick slices for linguine or fettuccine.
• Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add onions and saute until transparent. Add 1 cup of vodka and reduce it by half, then add the marinara sauce. Let it simmer and reduce. Season with oregano and salt and pepper, if using.
• Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until cooked al dente. Add the cream to the sauce and allow it to heat through for a couple of minutes (while pasta is finishing). Drain the pasta and add it to a serving bowl. Pour in the sauce and toss. Garnish with some basil leaves and serve.

FRIED PASTA SHELLS WITH VODKA SAUCE DIP

Steps:

• For the dipping sauce: Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the vodka and crushed tomatoes. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer, stirring often, until all the alcohol cooks off, about 7 minutes. Add the cream and cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan and basil. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• For the pasta shells: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Drain in a colander, then spread the shells on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb excess water.
• Add enough canola oil to come about 2 inches up the sides of a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches a temperature of 375 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Fry the pasta shells in batches, about 3 minutes each, using a spider or slotted spoon to rotate the shells halfway through. When golden brown and crisp, remove from the oil and let drain on a rimmed baking sheet fitted with a wire rack.
• Pile the fried shells on a platter and shower with the Parmesan. Serve the warm dipping sauce garnished with additional torn basil on the side.

FRIED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook about a minute less than the recommended cooking time. Drain the pasta and spread it in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Let cool and pat completely dry with paper towels.
• Pour about 2 inches of oil into a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 375 degrees F.
• Fry the pasta in 3 batches (about a cup each batch) until golden brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to a mini processor or spice grinder, add the basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Process until finely ground.
• Remove the fried pasta from the oil, drain on paper towels, then sprinkle immediately with some of the seasoning mix. Repeat, working in batches, with the rest of the pasta and seasoning mix.
• Put the fried pasta on a serving platter and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Serve alongside the warm marinara for dipping.

SPINACH-STUFFED MANICOTTI WITH VODKA BLUSH SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta shells as directed on box. Rinse with cool water; drain.
• Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonreactive saucepan, heat 1 jar of pasta sauce and the vodka to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in whipping cream. Set aside.
• In medium bowl, mix 1 cup of the cheese blend, the sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta and spinach.
• In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of pasta sauce from second jar (save remaining sauce for another use). Fill each pasta shell with about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture; place over sauce in dish. Pour vodka pasta sauce over filled shells.
• Cover tightly with foil; bake 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbling. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese blend. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with basil.