Description
Penne alla Vodka is a delightful dish that combines the richness of creamy sauce with the kick of vodka. Perfect for a quick dinner, this recipe uses simple ingredients like penne pasta, crushed tomatoes, and parmesan cheese to create an irresistible meal that everyone will enjoy.
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 aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the 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 for 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 the desired consistency. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
You can replace vodka with vegetable broth for a non-alcoholic version.
Fresh basil enhances the flavor, so don’t skip the garnish!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 39g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 80mg