Gigi Hadid Pasta Viral Recipe

Hungry for more pasta recipes? Try my pastina, pesto pasta bake, or protein mac and cheese next. 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.

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…

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. 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. 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.

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.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover pasta should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. 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. To freeze: Let the pasta cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for 3 months. To reheat: Simmer over medium heat or microwave for 40-50 seconds or until warm.