Description
Penne alla Vodka is a delightful dish featuring al dente penne pasta tossed in a creamy tomato sauce with vodka. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this meal is not only simple to prepare but offers a rich flavor that’s sure to please everyone. It’s a comforting, homemade dish that transforms an ordinary night into something special.
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 until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions and minced garlic for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Carefully add vodka to the skillet and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes until reduced by half to enhance the flavors without overpowering the dish.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens and its flavors concentrate.
- Reduce heat to low and add heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, mixing until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked penne with the sauce, using reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Garnish with torn basil leaves before serving.
Notes
For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
Use fresh basil only for garnish just before serving to keep it vibrant and aromatic.
Parmesan can be substituted with Pecorino for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg