Description
Penne alla Vodka is a delightful dish featuring tender penne pasta coated in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with vodka and crushed tomatoes. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a comforting weekend meal.
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. Sauté the finely chopped onions and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Carefully pour in the vodka, letting it simmer and reduce by half for 3-5 minutes, allowing flavors to develop without overpowering the sauce.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens and the flavors deepen.
- Lower the heat and add the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Mix until the sauce is silky and smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked penne in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to reach the desired consistency. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For a spicier flavor, adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your taste.
Ensure to reserve pasta water to help achieve the perfect sauce consistency.
Fresh basil adds a lovely aromatic touch; feel free to add more for additional flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 512
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 50mg