Description
Penne alla Vodka is a delightful and creamy pasta dish that combines penne pasta with a rich sauce made from tomatoes, vodka, and parmesan. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, offering a satisfying taste that anyone can create at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set pasta aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Carefully pour in the vodka and let it simmer, reducing by half over 3-5 minutes to extract flavors without overpowering the sauce.
- Add crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in flavor.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is silky and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
Feel free to substitute the penne pasta with your favorite pasta shape.
Use fresh basil for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg