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Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 118 reviews

Gigi Hadid Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and comforting pasta dish inspired by the famous supermodel’s recipe popularized on TikTok. This recipe features rigatoni or penne pasta coated in a luxurious sauce made from tomato paste, heavy cream, garlic, and parmesan cheese, with a customizable kick from crushed red pepper flakes. Ready in just 30-45 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent without requiring much effort.

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

  • 16 oz rigatoni or penne pasta
  • Salt for boiling water
  • 1 cup reserved cooking water

For the Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 2/3 cup tomato paste
  • 1 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (plus extra if desired)
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (add more if preferred)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

For Garnish (Optional):

  • Additional chopped parsley
  • Extra red pepper flakes
  • More grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni or penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Tomato Paste: Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the tomato paste darkens from bright red to reddish brown, caramelizing it to build rich flavor and reduce acidity. Take care not to burn the garlic as it forms the flavor base of the sauce.
  3. Simmer and Season the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until fully incorporated. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Add crushed red pepper flakes, dried basil, salt, and black pepper to taste and stir well to combine all flavors.
  4. Finish the Sauce: Add the grated parmesan cheese, unsalted butter, and 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Mix well until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and silky. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add more reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency. The starch in pasta water helps create a smooth texture.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the sauce and gently toss to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Let the pasta sit in the sauce for a minute or two to absorb the flavors before serving. Garnish optionally with chopped parsley, extra red pepper flakes, and more parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Cook the tomato paste long enough (4-5 minutes) to caramelize and avoid a raw, acidic taste.
  • Add heavy cream slowly and off heat to prevent curdling of the sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining; it helps adjust sauce consistency and adds creaminess.
  • Do not add parmesan cheese while the sauce is boiling hot to avoid clumping.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control spice level or substitute with a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired.
  • Use short pasta with ridges like rigatoni or penne to hold the sauce well; avoid long pasta like spaghetti.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat gently with a splash of pasta water or cream to restore creaminess.
  • Substitutions: heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half for a lighter sauce or full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free options.

Find it online: https://recipebychef.com/gigi-hadid-pasta-recipe/