Description
Penne alla Vodka is a creamy pasta dish that delights with its rich flavors. This simple recipe combines cooked penne with a luscious sauce made from vodka, cream, and spices, making it an ideal choice for a comforting meal or a quick dinner. Perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic grated or minced (1 teaspoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes or to taste
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, reserving some pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and cook the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in vodka, reducing it by half over 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, then let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, partially covered.
- Remove sauce from heat and blend until smooth, using an immersion blender or transferring to a standard blender.
- Return the smooth sauce to the pan on low heat, adding heavy cream and stirring until combined and pinkish-orange.
- Mix in cooked pasta and parmesan cheese, stirring until pasta is coated and cheese is melted, then serve immediately garnished with extra cheese and herbs.
Notes
For smoother sauce, ensure the sauce is blended thoroughly.
Taste the sauce before adding the pasta, adjusting seasoning as needed.
Can substitute penne with other pasta shapes if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 70mg