Easy and Delicious Recipes

Author: Sarah Berthold

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Juicy Italian Meatballs Recipe with Tomato Sauce

Delicate and juicy Italian meatballs cooked with garlic, parsley, fresh bread crumbs, eggs, pork, veal, and beef can be enjoyed on their own or tossed with spaghetti and tomato sauce. Tomato sauce is included in this recipe, so no worries.  You will thank yourself in Read More

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Zuppa Toscana Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

A copycat of Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana soup that matches the restaurant’s classic in every way. A creamy and flavorful broth was infused with kale, bacon, Italian sausage, and tender pieces of russet potatoes. What is Zuppa Toscana? Toscana means Tuscan, and Zuppa means Read More

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

This Gigi Hadid pasta recipe became viral in 2020 and completely took over TikTok and Instagram! Is it worthy of the hype? Totally! This restaurant-quality, spicy, and creamy vodka sauce is so simple to create. I’ll give you Gigi’s identical Instagram recipe and demonstrate how to prepare delicious hot pasta both with and without alcohol.

This Gigi Hadid vodka pasta is irresistible for all the best of reasons. It is exploding with flavor and has just the right amount of heat and sweetness.

This dish is attributed to supermodel Gigi Hadid and offers a delectable twist on regular vodka spaghetti (Penne alla Vodka). In addition, this recipe’s lively, fresh taste will make it a contender for your go-to pasta dish. How could it not, really?

Al dente pasta with a sauce that is really creamy, rich, and just a little spicy goes together nicely in this Gigi Hadid pasta dish. And to add even more umami, hefty amounts of parmesan cheese are sprinkled on top to round off the meal.

I think Gigi took the vodka out of her recipe since she was expecting it when she produced the popular video, but she did specify where to put it in the directions.

Oh, and this meal is the epitome of simple if you like PASTA.

Making all of this heavenly pasta takes less than 30 minutes from beginning to end!

Fun Fact: Gordon Ramsay loves Gigi’s cooking.  In 2016, Gordon participated as a judge on the US edition of Celebrity MasterChef, where Gigi competed and was named the show’s champion. Gordon was amazed by her culinary abilities and even praised her burger as “delicious.”

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

Why you’ll love this Gigi Hadid Pasta?

Well, I have four good reasons for you:

  • Super simple vodka spaghetti that tastes as if it came from a restaurant!
  • A fantastic dish of creamy, rich, and spicy goodness!
  • A popular cooking trend that lives up to the hype!
  • It makes a meal with just a few basic ingredients that are very exceptional!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll need to make a deliciously spicy vodka pasta:

  • Pasta
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Onion
  • Garlic
  • Tomato paste
  • Vodka
  • Heavy cream
  • Red Paprika flakes
  • Butter
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper
  • Basil

Notes on Ingredients

  • Regarding the pasta, I agree with Gigi that the shells she used were perfect. They do a fantastic job of capturing the flavor of the sauce. However, if you use penne pasta, you may turn this into “penne alla vodka.” I’ll be honest; you can use ANY pasta since the sauce is fantastic.
  • Any kind of vodka will do the trick. Try one of the alternatives I suggest below if you don’t have vodka on hand, or leave it out entirely. Not using it at all and yet having a delicious sauce is an option. In reality, Gigi omitted the vodka from the original pasta recipe shared on her Instagram story because she was not yet ready to share that she was pregnant.
  • Gigi used a red onion when making her spaghetti, but she notes that a shallot would work just as well. Onions of any color will do!

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

How to make Gigi Hadid Pasta

Always refer to the recipe card below for detailed directions and a list of precise ingredients.

Step 1:  Prepare the pasta as directed on the box. (Don’t drain the pasta until you’ve saved roughly a cup of water). While the pasta cooks, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil on medium heat.

Step 2: Add in the tomato paste and simmer for several minutes or until it darkens slightly in color.

Step 3: Add vodka and cook just enough to allow the alcohol to evaporate; it should take a minute or two. After that, include pepper flakes and heavy cream. Salt and pepper are used as seasonings.

Step 4: Add in the pasta, the saved cooking water, and butter. Toss the pasta until it is well coated with sauce.

Step 5: Toss in Parmesan cheese. As necessary, add salt and pepper. Immediately garnish with basil and serve.

You might also want to try this Creamy Japanese Mentaiko Pasta.

Alternatives to vodka in vodka pasta

There are 3 simple alternatives to vodka in “vodka” pasta:

Eliminate the vodka entirely. If you exclude the vodka, the meal will still be delicious.

White wine or cooking sherry can be substituted for vodka in a hurry if you don’t have any. If using alcohol, you should simmer the sauce until some of the alcohol burns off.

A mixture of Lemon juice and Lime with apple juice: vodka gives just a touch of acidity to this meal, which is subtle yet delicious. This “acid” may be recreated by mixing equal volumes of lemon or lime juice with apple juice.

Gigi Hadid Pasta Recipe

It’s time for a detailed recipe! This vodka cream sauce is restaurant-quality and so simple to prepare! This is Gigi’s identical Instagram recipe, and it can be made with or without vodka!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of pasta (shells or penne pasta)
  • 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 1 cup of red onion (you can also use white or yellow onion)
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste
  • 2-3 Tbsp of vodka (or lemon/lime with apple juice for vodka substitute)
  • 1 cup of heavy cream
  • 2 ½ tsp of red pepper flakes (or to your liking)
  • 2 Tbsp of butter
  • ¾ cup of Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper, to your liking
  • basil

Instructions

  • Prepare pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Save 1 cup of the cooking pasta liquid prior to draining the dish.
  • Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat while the pasta cooks. Add onion when the oil is heated. Next, add garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute. Stir often to avoid burning the garlic.
  • Add tomato paste and simmer, stirring often, for two to three minutes. The tomato paste’s color will darken somewhat.
  • Add vodka, if using, and simmer for one minute, just until the alcohol evaporates.
  • Add red pepper flakes and heavy cream. It will thicken up rapidly! Cook for a minute or so, stirring often.
  • Include your pasta, butter, and 1/2 cup of pasta water. Gigi says to keep stirring until the butter is “melted and juicy.” Make sure the sauce is evenly distributed throughout the pasta. If the sauce looks too thick, add a bit of extra pasta water.
  • Add Parmesan cheese and mix well. Add salt and pepper if desired after tasting. Basil should be a last touch before serving.

Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you’ve liked this copycat of Gigi Hadid’s pasta!

How to Make Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Pasta)

FAQs

Is Gigi Hadid’s pasta hot?

Yes, if you add the red pepper flakes, the vodka spaghetti will become hot. To eliminate the heat, omit the red pepper flakes; the meal will still be wonderful. You may replace the red pepper chile flakes in the sauce with grated parmesan for a cheesier taste.

What are the ingredients for Gigi Hadid pasta?

To create Gigi Hadid’s spicy vodka pasta, you need a handful of basic Italian ingredients, like pasta, olive oil, shallots, garlic, and vodka! And you may add ingredients like mozzarella cheese or remove undesirable ones like garlic.

What type of pasta does Gigi Hadid use?

The original recipe for Gigi Hadid’s spicy vodka pasta calls for shell pasta, but you can substitute whichever pasta you choose! Therefore, you may prepare it with penne pasta, ordinary wheat pasta, whole wheat pasta, linguine, rigatoni, or even gnocchi.

Is Gigi Hadid’s vodka pasta worthy of its reputation?

Yes, it is 100% worth the effort, especially given the fact how easy it is to make it! This restaurant-quality spaghetti is extremely simple to prepare! It is creamy, rich, and made using simple, readily accessible ingredients.

What to add to Gigi Hadid’s pasta?

You don’t need to add anything to this recipe because it’s delicious as it is. However, this recipe would benefit greatly from the addition of grilled chicken or shrimp.

The Best Airfood Recipe Ideas

The Best Airfood Recipe Ideas

When you think of airfood recipe, it is basically a Low-calorie recipe that fills up your tummy and reduces your cravings. A few examples include Air-poped popcorn, rice cakes, celery sticks with peanut butter, sushi, and so on! Airfood is a new way of eating, Read More

Deep-Fried Cheesecake Recipe in No Time

Deep-Fried Cheesecake Recipe in No Time

A fantastic way to brighten up a frozen cheesecake is with these deep-fried cheesecake bites. They make the perfect party finger food dessert since they are both crispy on the exterior and creamy on the inside. These delicious deep-fried cheesecake bites have a crunchy exterior Read More

Homemade Battered Sausage Easy Recipe

Homemade Battered Sausage Easy Recipe

Irish and British cuisines frequently feature battered sausage. This meal is popular and even matches fish and chips in popularity.

This recipe for battered sausage is delicious, crunchy, and wonderfully filling. The sausages are perfectly coated with the light, crunchy batter, which tastes precisely like the neighborhood chippy.

Its traditional cuisine frequently comes with chips (or fries) and the required condiments, including mustard, ketchup, and (if you prefer) a cool beer.

What Kind Of Sausage To Use?

For this dish, a variety of sausages may be utilized; here are some of my favorites:

Frankfurter sausage: Frankfurter sausage is an all-pork par-boiled sausage. These sausages are tasty and quite practical because they cook in a short amount of time.

Kielbasa: This traditional Polish sausage. This sausage has a flavorful, garlicky, spicy flavor and may be deep-fried.

Italian sausage: The anise in the spice mixture gives this sausage a lovely earthy, licorice-like taste. When choosing this specific type of sausage, be aware that it might need to be cooked before frying.

Bratwurst sausage: If you use the well-known bratwurst sausage, it’s impossible to have this dish go wrong. 

Choose sausages manufactured with beef, chicken, or lamb that originate from certified Kosher factories if you’re searching for a Kosher choice. Bratwurst beef sausages would be my choice in this case. 

See also my selection of 50+ Best Sausage Recipes!

Homemade Battered Sausage Easy Recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 sausages (pork, beef, or your favorite variety)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp black pepper

  • 1 cup cold IPA beer (or lager for a lighter flavor)

  • Oil, for deep frying


Instructions

1. Make the batter
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the beer, whisking until a smooth, thick batter forms. The texture should be pourable but able to cling to the sausage.

2. Heat the oil
In a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil to 350°F (180°C).

3. Prep the sausages
Pat the sausages dry with paper towels. Lightly dust them with a little flour to help the batter stick.

4. Batter and fry
Dip each sausage into the batter, coating it evenly. Carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and the sausage is cooked through.

5. Drain and serve
Remove with tongs or a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Serve immediately with chips, ketchup, or curry sauce.


Tips for Success

  • Keep the beer cold — it helps the batter stay light and crispy.

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry in batches for even cooking.

  • Try smoked sausages or flavored varieties for a twist.


Serving Ideas

  • Serve with thick-cut fries (British “chips”) and malt vinegar.

  • Dip in curry sauce or brown gravy for an authentic chip shop experience.

  • Add a side of mushy peas for a full UK-style meal.

Share this mouth-watering beer-battered sausage recipe on Pinterest and invite your foodie friends to join in on the deliciousness. Trust me; they’ll thank you for it! So go on and butter up those sausages and spread the love! 🙂

Chip-Shop Beer Battered Sausage

Are the sausages cooked before being battered?

The sausages don’t need to be cooked before being coated in batter and fried. Defrosted uncooked sausages are dipped in flour, then batter, then deep-fried.

Before beginning, make sure the sausages are completely defrosted. The cooking time will be longer, and there is a chance that some of the sausages may still be uncooked inside if it is cooked from frozen.

Although I haven’t tried making this with cooked sausages previously, you might want to try cooking the sausages first. Please share your experience if you use this technique in the comments section.

Battered Sausage

Should I Use Beer in Battered Sausage?

While beer isn’t absolutely required for the success of the battered sausage dish, it helps to make it so. Beer contributes three elements: foaming agents, carbon dioxide and alcohol, which is why it is so essential.

Here, carbon dioxide is important. The gas that is already present in the batter rushes out into the heated oil when the carbon dioxide in the batter contacts it, giving the sausage a light and puffy crust.

Of course, without the proper foaming agents, this gas wouldn’t be able to remain in place. Although champagne is also a bubbly beverage, the champagne bubbles pop too rapidly to cause the batter to rise. Alcohol is the third crucial component. It makes the crust crisp while regulating the inside temperature.

Beer-based batter will cook more quickly than batter mixed with milk or water because alcohol evaporates faster than water. You have a lower chance of undercooking the batter or overcooking the sausages the faster the batter dries and crisps up.

Can I use Alcohol-free beer?

Alcohol-free beer may be used, yes. Even though alcohol aids in the frying process, carbon dioxide and foaming chemicals still create a very crisp outer crust.

Can I make Battered Sausages Gluten-Free?

The answer is yes! The only catch is that you have to use gluten-free flour. Because gluten-free flour typically contains binding chemicals, you may need to make a few minor adjustments to the recipe.

Mix in the half cup of flour first and then the beer, a little at a time. You are ready to go when the batter is the consistency of thick pancakes.

 

Video Recipe

 

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

Homemade Croffle Recipe (Croissant Waffles)

The hottest street food in Korea is croissant waffles, A.K.A croffle, the subject of my most recent fascination. For those unable to travel to Korea,  I thought I would make a replica of this delectable treat at home. What are Croffles? Croffles are a mix Read More

Homemade Lobster Ravioli Sauce Easy Recipe

Homemade Lobster Ravioli Sauce Easy Recipe

This elegant recipe for the BEST Lobster Ravioli sauce has only basic ingredients, which you probably have at your hand, and can be made in just 20 minutes. The lemon brown butter and Pecorino Romano cheese are the star ingredients in combination with a bit Read More

How to Cook Venison Backstrap (3 Ways + Marinade Recipe)

How to Cook Venison Backstrap (3 Ways + Marinade Recipe)

Without a doubt, the finest deer cut is the backstrap. It is a no-brainer why this is one of the best wild game cuts since it is simple to prepare and melts in your mouth—a must-have for any cuisine from a rural farmhouse or romantic supper.

If you’re a fan of game meat, be sure to check my Venison Burger and Elk Burger recipe, this Elk burger is one of the most popular recipes on this website. 

Fun Fact: Arby’s is paving the way for the mainstream consumption of game meats. In 2016, Arby’s debuted a venison sandwich, which was a limited-time offering that could only be purchased at a select number of locations. People began lining up hours in advance in 2020 when Arby’s brought it back and sold it across the country for only one day; they were eager to get their hands on one.

However, if you want to make Arby’s venison sandwich, you can. Just substitute venison for beef in this Arby’s beef and cheddar sandwich

What is a Venison Backstrap?

Deer backstrap is exactly what it sounds like. The portion of a deer’s flesh runs down the spine. When it comes to a recipe, it’s best to make it count since you only get two per deer. The spine spans the whole length of the deer’s back and is known as the venison backstrap or venison loin.

But venison tenderloin and backstrap are not the same types of meat. The term “venison tenderloin” refers to the cut of meat located below the backstrap and between the ribs and the rump.

Why is this Venison Backstrap Recipe So Good?

A marinated venison backstrap that is juicy, delicious, and tender is then pan-seared, grilled, or air-fried until it is well browned on the outside and slightly pink within. Creating a recipe for out-of-this-world venison that doesn’t taste gamey is straightforward.

The flavor of venison need not be gamey. This venison backstrap dish is one of my favorites since the marinade enhances the flavor and helps to mask the gamey taste.

Backstrap may be prepared in 3 ways after marinating: pan-seared and finished in the oven, grilled or using an air-fryer. The backstrap of deer is incredibly delicate and juicy when cooked correctly to the optimal internal temperature. You’ll adore it, I can tell!

How to Cook Venison Backstrap (3 Ways + Marinade Recipe)

How to make Venison Backstrap Tender?

If not overdone, venison backstrap is a highly tender piece of meat. Venison backstrap is soft, juicy, and tasty when cooked correctly to medium-rare to medium. In fact, venison will still be delicate and juicy even if you cook it to medium well.

The venison backstrap is marinated in this recipe, which adds a ton of flavor and helps to tenderize the meat further.

How to eliminate the game flavor from venison?

If the venison is recently taken, you may help eliminate the gamey flavor and draw out the blood by soaking the backstrap in buttermilk for a few hours or overnight. Give it a rinse after removing it from the buttermilk.

There is no need to soak the venison in buttermilk if it hasn’t just been harvested. Mix the defrosted venison with the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Venison may be marinated to provide tons of fantastic flavor while also assisting in eliminating any gamey flavor.

How to Cook Venison Backstrap (3 Ways + Marinade Recipe)

Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.

Olive oil

Soy sauce

Lemon juice

Italian seasoning

Apple Cider vinegar or Balsamic vinegar

Worcestershire

Red Wine

Garlic

Pepper

Allow the backstrap to marinade for a minimum of four hours and ideally up to twenty-four hours, turning it over halfway through to ensure that both sides are covered.

Similar to this steak marinade, which uses the same ingredients, this marinade for wild game is also fantastic for beef.

How to cook Venison Backstrap

Deer backstrap, also known as venison backstrap, is typically prepared in the pan or on the grill; however, air-fryer venison is rising in popularity due to its efficacy. 

  • Pan-fried venison backstrap with an oven finish
  • Grilled venison backstrap
  • Air-fryer venison backstrap

Although I like all approaches, I choose to pan-sear and oven-finish my venison backstrap. This seals in all the fluids and gives you a pretty lovely sear.

Use a meat thermometer while cooking venison, as you should with most meat, to prevent overcooking, which makes the flesh tough and dry.

Pan-Fried Venison Backstrap

Step 1: Butter or olive oil should be added to a cast iron or stainless steel pan that may be used in the oven.

Step 2: The venison should be well-browned and caramelized on the outside after being seared in the hot pan on both sides. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit while you are searing the venison.

Step 3: Place the venison backstrap-containing oven-safe pan in the preheated oven. For medium-rare to medium, bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Before slicing, allow it to rest for at least 5 minutes.

Grilled Venison Backstrap

Step 1: Turn the grill’s heat up to medium-high.

Step 2: For medium-rare to medium, grill the backstrap on each side for 6 to 8 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 130 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Before slicing, allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Air-Fryer Venison Backstrap

For the air fryer version of the venison backstrap, you want to cut your backstrap into steak bites before frying. 

Step 1: Pre-heat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes

Step 2: Cut your venison into bite-size pieces, and don’t overcrowd your air-fryer. If needed, cook in batches. 

Step 2: Cook for 6-7 minutes. The internal temperature should be 130-135 degrees Fahrenheit.  Enjoy!

Extra Tips

Remember that it will keep cooking after the meat is removed from the heat source. The temperature will continue to climb 5 to 10 degrees as the remaining heat in the meat continues to cook the meat.

The venison backstrap, for instance, should be removed from the heat source at 130 degrees Fahrenheit and allowed to rest for 5 to 10 minutes until it reaches 135 degrees Fahrenheit if you want it to be cooked to medium (135.5 degrees F).

Venison Internal Temperature Chart

To avoid overcooking the meat and producing dry, tough meat, I highly advise using a meat thermometer while cooking meat. Here are the temperatures for determining the degree of doneness for the venison backstrap:

  • Rare: 125 Fahrenheit. (52 Celsius)
  • Medium-rare: 130-135 Fahrenheit. (57 Celsius)
  • Medium: 135-140 Fahrenheit. (60 Celsius)
  • Medium-well: 140-145 Fahrenheit. (62 Celsius)
  • Well: 145-150 Fahrenheit. (65 Celsius)

I prefer to cook venison backstrap to a temperature of about 135 F. Although not raw, it is still pink and juicy in the middle, and the edges are caramelized.

Why you should let your Venison rest after cooking

When you cut into cooked meat without letting it rest, all of the fluids will flow out, leaving you with drier meat. This is because cooking attracts all of the liquids to the surface of the flesh.

Therefore, after removing the cooked venison from the heat source, allow it to rest for at least minutes. This makes for soft, juicy slices by redistributing the liquids throughout the meat.

Share the image below to your Pinterest board if you like this venison backstrap recipe!

How to Cook Venison Backstrap (3 Ways + Marinade Recipe)

Venison Backstrap Recipe

Venison Backstrap that has been marinated, then pan-seared, grilled or air-fried until the exterior is well-browned and the interior is just barely pink. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Deer meat is straightforward to prepare and melts in your tongue without having a gamey flavor.

Ingredients

For the Venison

  • 1 lb. of venison backstrap
  • 1 Tbsp of olive oil

For the Marinade

  • 4 Tbsp of olive oil
  • 4 Tbsp of soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp of lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 Tbsp of Worcestershire
  • 2 Tbsp of Italian Seasoning
  • 2 minces garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp of black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp of Red Wine

Instructions

For the Marinade

  • Combine the marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag or small dish. Place in the refrigerator after adding the backstrap. Turning halfway through, marinate for a minimum of 4 hours and a maximum of 24 hours.
  • Take the venison out of the marinade, give it a good rinse, and pat it dry for 30 minutes before you’re ready to cook. Place it on a clean platter and give it time to warm up.

Pan-Seared Method

  • Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Heat olive oil in an oven-safe cast iron or stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is heated, add the backstrap and sear on all sides, including the ends, until a lovely brown crust forms. To do this, hold the backstrap in the pan with tongs.
  • Move the pan containing the backstrap into the preheated oven if it is an oven-safe skillet. Transfer the backstrap to an oven-safe dish with some olive oil if your skillet doesn’t support the oven’s heat.

For Grilling Method

  • Turn on the grill to a medium-high setting.
  • Put the venison backstrap on the hot grill and cook it for 6–8 minutes before flipping it over and cooking it for a further 6–8 minutes.
  • The backstrap should register between 130 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit on a meat thermometer for medium-rare. Remember that if the heat source is turned off, the body’s temperature will continue to rise. Slice the backstrap after transferring it to a platter and lightly covering it with tinfoil for 5 to 10 minutes. The temperature will increase by another 5 to 10 degrees while the food is resting, getting it even closer to medium doneness.

Air-Frying Method

  • Heat your air fryer for five minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Avoid packing your air fryer too tightly, and cut your venison into bite-sized pieces—Cook in batches as necessary.
  • Cook for 6-7 minutes. The temperature on the inside should be between 130 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Enjoy!
Pollo Asado Chipotle Copycat Recipe

Pollo Asado Chipotle Copycat Recipe

Copycat Chipotle Pollo Asado is one of the tastiest grilled chicken recipes I’ve made recently. This chicken is flavorful and tender with lime and orange juice in a chipotle-based marinade. Fans of Chipotle Mexican Grill will recall that the chain finally introduced a fresh chicken Read More