This Viral Pumpkin alla Vodka Is Genius—Here’s How You Can Make It

It’s finally fall! The season of curling up with a blanket, lighting some candles, having a Harry Potter marathon or revisiting your favorite Nora Ephron rom-com. And what’s a better way to enjoy these cozy fall evenings than with a warm pasta dish?

Fall pastas blend bright seasonal produce into cheesy, saucy noodle dishes you can let simmer on the stove all day or fix in a pinch. In between other must-try fall recipes and slow-cooker soups, you’re definitely going to want to add pumpkin alla vodka to your autumnal menu planning.

What is pumpkin alla vodka?

While we love a good penne alla vodka, we might just have to swap it for the season in favor of pumpkin alla vodka. According to TikTok creator Jamie Milne, this “perfect fall dish” takes spicy vodka pasta and applies a pumpkin twist. Think of it like your favorite vodka sauce but sweetened with pumpkin puree and a dash of ground nutmeg.

“My toxic trait is that when it comes September 1st,” Jamie says in her viral TikTok, “I’m already making pumpkin-inspired recipes.” And with a dish that looks like this, we can’t blame her!

How to Make Pumpkin Alla Vodka

This recipe is a straightforward one that’s ideal for busy weeknights. It serves up to four people, so invite some of your fall-obsessed besties over and enjoy!

@everything_delish fall recipes 🤝 pumpkin – you need to try my pumpkin alla vodka recipe! Pumpkin Alla Vodka Serves 4 Ingredients 1/4 cup Vodka 1 tsp nutmeg 1 package pasta 1 cup pumpkin puree 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp chili flakes 1 cup heavy cream or milk 1 cup parmesan cheese 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 white onion, diced salt & pepper #fallrecipe #pumpkinallavodka #pastadish #pumpkinpasta #fallcooking #seasonalrecipe #fallflavors #pumpkinrecipe #italianrecipe #comfortfood #homemadepasta #fallvibes #foodvideo #cookingtutorial #tiktokrecipe #easyrecipe #deliciousdishes #foodporn #foodlover #foodvideo #pumpkinseason #fallfavorites #tiktokchef #foodgasm #foodinspiration #pumpkinspice #italianfood #pasta ♬ Boogie Shoes – KC & The Sunshine Band

Ingredients

• 1 package penne pasta (or other tubular pasta shape)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 cup heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1: Prepare pasta

First, the star of the recipe—the pasta. Fill a large pot with water (and don’t forget to salt the pasta water!), bring it to a boil, add pasta and cook until al dente. Strain while saving a cup of the leftover pasta water, and put the pasta to the side.

Step 2: Create the pumpkin sauce

Now, the sauce. While the pasta cooks, add olive oil, diced white onion, garlic and chili flakes to a large skillet on medium heat. Saute until the onion is glassy and tender. Then, add in the tomato paste and stir thoroughly. The result should be an orange mash that sticks together.

Next up, pour in the 1/4 cup of vodka and let it sizzle before introducing that pumpkin puree in. The pumpkin puree “makes the pasta sauce so creamy and nutty,” Jamie explains. Mix and pour in that milk or heavy cream. Stir around until a thick orange sauce comes together.

Step 3: Stir in the pasta

Sprinkle in some salt, pepper and nutmeg to your liking. From there, you can add in the cooked pasta and pour in that extra pasta water before thoroughly mixing around in the sauce.

Step 4: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and serve

Remove from the stove, place in a pasta bowl and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top. Add any of your favorite fall spices for good measure. Voila, you’ve got a pasta that will have you set for the season.