Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Our homemade Penne alla Vodka is a family-favorite pasta night dish. This Italian-style recipe is made with tender penne tossed in a creamy tomato-based sauce, enhanced by a splash of vodka and crushed red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tbsp double-concentrated tomato paste
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 14 oz canned whole tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or added to taste
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, plus more for the pasta water
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- 1 lb penne pasta, or rigatoni
- 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, or as needed
- Fresh parsley or basil leaves, torn or chopped to garnish
Instructions
- In a coated dutch oven or non-reactive pot over medium heat, add olive oil and onions and saute until softened, 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally. Add garlic and saute for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and Vodka and stir for 2 minutes until most of the vodka has evaporated out.
- Add tomatoes, salt, and red pepper flakes. Mash up the tomatoes with your spatula and simmer the sauce partially covered over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, start cooking the pasta so it’s ready at the same time as your sauce.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta. Season pasta water generously with salt (it should have enough salt to taste like ocean water). Once the water has boiled, add pasta and stir several times to keep the pasta from sticking. Cook until al dente according to pasta instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Stir whipping cream into the sauce then add shredded cheese and return to a simmer.
- Add cooked pasta directly from the cooking water, adding a couple of Tbsp of pasta water at a time to make it saucier. Season with salt then serve garnished with more cheese if desired, parsley, or basil.
Nutrition Facts
Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
786
% Daily Value*
Fat
32
g
49
%
Saturated Fat
14
g
88
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
13
g
Cholesterol
59
mg
20
%
Sodium
750
mg
33
%
Potassium
650
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
95
g
32
%
Fiber
5
g
21
%
Sugar
9
g
10
%
Protein
22
g
44
%
Vitamin A
1090
IU
22
%
Vitamin C
14
mg
17
%
Calcium
246
mg
25
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
