Description
Penne alla Vodka brings together the irresistible flavors of creamy sauce and tangy tomatoes in a simple one-pot dish. This recipe is ideal for a quick dinner and a cozy meal at home, making it a go-to for pasta lovers everywhere.
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 and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set the pasta aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Pour in the vodka, allowing it to simmer for 3-5 minutes until reduced by half to enhance the flavors in the sauce.
- Add crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and fresh parmesan cheese, mixing until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to achieve your preferred consistency. Garnish with torn fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference.
Use quality vodka for better flavor; it’s essential to the dish’s success.
Leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to three days and reheated easily.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 76g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg