Gigi Hadid Pasta (Tiktok Spicy Pasta with or without Vodka)

Gigi Hadid Pasta is creamy, cheesy, spicy, mouth-watering, and has taken the internet by storm. Model Gigi Hadid might be known for her talents on the runway, but she certainly rocks the kitchen too. Her simple pasta recipe went viral after she posted it on Tiktok and Instagram, and I promise you it’s worth the hype. Keep reading to find out how to make Gigi Hadid’s Spicy Vodka Sauce (spice and vodka optional).

Gigi Hadid shared the recipe during the thick of the spring 2020 lockdown, when everyone was looking to up their cooking game. But after the dish became a standing staple in many of her fans’ diets, it’s safe to say this viral dish is more than just a fad. I’ll show you how to make the original recipe, as well as alter it in ways that might better suit the tastes and diets of your dinner table!

What Is Gigi Hadid Pasta?

Model Gigi Hadid has said plenty of times that she loves to cook, so fans were ecstatic when she shared her simple recipe for what she called “Yummy + Easy Spicy Vodka Sauce”. It’s a pasta dish in a flavorful sauce that makes a fast and delicious meal with fairly simple ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Gigi Hadid Pasta is delicious. The combination of the tangy tomato sauce, creamy vodka sauce, and al dente pasta create a perfect balance of flavors and textures. 
• Easy to make – even if you’re not a seasoned chef, you can whip up this dish in no time. The recipe only calls for a handful of ingredients, most of which you likely already have in your pantry. 
• You can tailor it to your own taste. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can add your own twist by incorporating different spices or veggies.

Ingredients & Substitutes

• Shells Pasta: Gigi used Orecchiette, a type of shell pasta in her original recipe. They’re a great option because they’ll cup the sauce nicely.
• Olive Oil: We’ve tailored this recipe to use less olive oil than the original, but feel free to add more.
• Garlic: Gigi adds one clove of garlic to the sauce. You can mince it yourself, or use the kind from a jar.
• Shallot: You’ll need to mince one shallot. Here’s a great way to test out another viral trend! Place a damp paper towel on your cutting board to avoid crying while you cut your shallot.
• Red Pepper Flakes: While Gigi likes her sauce spicy, this ingredient is totally optional.
• Tomato Paste: No canned sauce in this recipe! Gigi uses tomato paste, then adds other components to thin it into a sauce. It’s very easy to find and any brand will do.
• Heavy Cream: It will make your sauce nice and thick, but still creamy. You can swap it out for milk if you prefer.
• Salt & Pepper: for seasoning.
• Vodka: While this is a Vodka Sauce, the vodka is totally optional…it evaporates out during cooking anyway. In her viral post, Gigi didn’t use any vodka because she was out of it, so don’t feel too bad for skipping out on this ingredient.
• Butter: It helps to cut down the acidity of the tomatoes, for a beautifully silky, creamy sauce. For a vegan sauce, use margarine, or vegan butter instead.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grating fresh parmesan will always give the strongest flavor, but pre-grated cheese works well too.
• Basil: Chopped fresh basil makes the perfect garnish for your final plate of pasta, adding a bit of green to the plate.

How To Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Step-by-Step Instructions with Photos)

Step 1: Cook The Pasta

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
• Add pasta and cook until al dente. (Once cooked, strain the pasta while reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.)

Step 2: Make Gigi Hadid Sauce

• Add oil, garlic, and shallot to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until fragrant.
• Add red pepper flakes and tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes.
• Add heavy cream, vodka sauce, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes.
• Add butter to the sauce and let it melt. Combine the butter with the sauce.

Step 3: Mix Everything

• Add the pasta and the reserved pasta water to the skillet.
• Add Parmesan cheese, and cook on medium heat until the sauce has thickened.
• Remove from heat. Sprinkle with chopped basil, more parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks For The Tiktok Gigi Hadid Vodka Pasta

• Cook your pasta al dente. Even more so than usual, because it will cook more once added to the sauce.
• You can skip the vodka. It’s a great ingredient if you have an open bottle, and aren’t intimidated by adding alcohol to a hot pan. But it isn’t a necessary one to get a great sauce, so don’t stress out about it too much.
• Adjust the heat. Add more Red Pepper Flakes if you like spicy foods, or take them out entirely if you have little heat tolerance.

What Kind Of Pasta Does Gigi Hadid Use?

Gigi Hadid uses pasta shells, also known as Orecchiette. They’re a great option for pasta dishes where the sauce is the central feature. But feel free to use your favorite pasta as this sauce goes well with all pasta noodles.

Why Do You Add Vodka To Pasta?

It may seem odd to add Vodka to your pasta…especially if it just boils out. But the alcohol does serve a purpose in the sauce, even if the recipe still works well without it. It’s really there to just boost your sauce even further.

First, it actually works as a binder, preventing the cream in the sauce from separating. But second, alcohol in general is a great solvent, and it will extract the aromas of the different ingredients and bring an added depth to your sauce.

What To Serve With Gigi Hadid Pasta

Gigi Hadid Pasta is a hearty and filling dish on its own, but you can pair it with a side salad or some garlic bread to round out the meal. If you’re looking for something to drink, a glass of red wine or lemonade goes well with this dish.

How To Store Gigi Hadid Pasta?

If you have leftovers, you’ll want to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The pasta will keep for up to 3-4 days. Note that the sauce may thicken up in the fridge, but you can thin it out by adding a splash of milk or cream when reheating.

How To Reheat Gigi Hadid Pasta

To reheat the pasta, simply microwave it for a minute or two, or heat it up on the stove in a pot or skillet. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out.

Substitutions For Vodka

If you don’t have vodka on hand or prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with white wine or chicken broth. However, this will alter the flavor of the sauce slightly.

Recipe Tools

• Large stockpot
• Skillet
• Kitchen Tongs
• Cutting board

FAQs

Is Gigi Hadid Pasta Spicy?

Yes, we’ve followed the traditional recipe, and this version is spicy. You can always add less or more red pepper flakes to adjust the heat.

Can You Make Gigi Hadid Pasta Without Heavy Cream?

Heavy Cream gives this sauce a really velvety texture, but it can easily be swapped if you have milk at home you would rather use. Dairy milk like 2% will still bring in a creaminess to this sauce, albeit a much lighter one. Dairy-free milk alternatives will make this recipe easier for some diets, just avoid using anything with a flavor you don’t want in your sauce (unless you’re hoping for Spicy Coconut Vodka Sauce).

Can I Make Vodka Sauce with Milk?

Yes, you can make vodka sauce with milk instead of heavy cream. It will have a lighter and less creamy consistency, but it’s a great option if you’re looking to cut down on calories or fat.

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta Without Vodka?

If you don’t have vodka at home… like Gigi when she released the recipe… or you just don’t want to use any, skipping it is simple. There’s no need to substitute anything in its place, just leave the vodka out of your recipe.

If you tried this recipe, let me know how your Gigi Hadid Pasta turns out in the comments below!