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Some recipes surprise you in the best way.
Jump to RecipeAt first glance, this creamy penne in a pesto tomato vodka sauce is the ultimate comfort food: silky tomato cream sauce, fresh pesto folded in for more flavor, creamy burrata melting into warm pasta, and just enough red pepper flakes for heat.
But the ingredient that completely transformed this dish?
Warm smoked salmon.
Not just any smoked salmon either — I used salmon from Sitka Salmon Shares, which sources wild-caught fish from Sitka, Alaska and freezes it quickly after harvest to preserve freshness.
And wow, did it work.
Why Smoked Salmon Works in Vodka Sauce
This is the kind of flavor combination that sounds unexpected until you taste it.
The tomato vodka sauce is rich, creamy, and slightly sweet from the tomato. The pesto adds freshness, herbaceousness, and a savory depth that cuts through the cream.
Then the warm smoked salmon comes in.
Instead of overpowering the dish, it acts almost like a finishing ingredient — adding a gentle smoky richness to every bite. Think of it as the pasta version of adding bacon to a dish for complexity… only more elegant. And because the salmon is already cooked and smoked, warming it gently preserves its texture while allowing it to melt beautifully into the sauce.
The Flavor Combination That Makes This Dish Work
This pasta succeeds because every component has a job:
- Penne catches all of that creamy vodka sauce
- Tomato vodka sauce delivers richness and acidity
- Pesto brightens and lifts the entire dish
- Warm smoked salmon adds smoky, savory depth
- Burrata creates creamy contrast and luxury
- Red pepper flakes bring gentle heat for balance
This is exactly the kind of pasta I love — rich without feeling heavy, comforting but still layered and fresh.
How to Serve It
I like serving this pasta immediately while the burrata is still soft and creamy.
Plate the penne in a shallow bowl, nestle the burrata on top. Then gently break into the burrata so it melts into the warm pesto vodka sauce. The smoked salmon becomes the perfect accent — smoky, buttery, and completely unexpected in the best way.
Why You Need to Try This Pasta
If you love vodka sauce but want something that feels elevated enough for date night, dinner guests, or simply treating yourself, this recipe deserves a spot on your list.
It has comfort-food energy with restaurant-level flavor.
Creamy vodka sauce. Bright pesto. Cool, creamy burrata. A subtle kick of red pepper. And warm smoked salmon that quietly steals the show.
Unexpected? Yes.
Delicious? Absolutely.
Smoked Salmon Vodka Pasta with Buratta
Creamy penne in a pesto tomato vodka sauce topped with burrata, red pepper flakes, and smoked salmon for an elevated pasta dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Smoked Salmon
- 2 Lbs Penne pasta I used Rummo
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1/4 Yellow onion diced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tsp salt
- 2 Tsp black pepper
- 2 Tsp paprika
- 1/2 Cup vodka
- 1 Cup Parmesan shredded & grated, divided
- 14.5 Ounces Diced tomatoes
- 1 Cup Passata
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 Cup Pesto mine was homemade
- 14.5 Ounces Coconut milk
- 1/4 Cup chopped parsley
- 1 – 2 Tbsp Red pepper flakes
Instructions
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Begin by heating the oil. Once warm, add the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Follow with tomato paste – cook out for a few minutes. Add in the spices and mix well. Now pour in the vodka and cook until mostly evaporated. Next add in half of the pesto, diced tomatoes and the passata. Now add in the coconut milk and the parsley. Thicken the sauce with the shredded parmesan.
While you are prepping the sauce, cook the noodles but be sure to cook al dente – 2 minutes less than instructions. They will finish cooking in the sauce.
Pour the noodles into the sauce and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Finish the dish with by topping with the buratta, red pepper flakes and more cheese.
Serve and enjoy!
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