Easiest Penne with Vodka
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this crowd-pleasing Easiest Penne with Vodka, a creamy pasta dish that comes together in just 30 minutes. Featuring tender penne pasta coated in a rich, velvety vodka sauce made with tomato paste, heavy cream, and a touch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, this recipe strikes the perfect balance of indulgence and simplicity. The addition of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and aromatic garlic enhances the sauce's depth of flavor, while a garnish of fresh basil adds a pop of brightness. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner for four, this one-pan wonder delivers restaurant-quality results using pantry staples. Don't forget to save some pasta water to achieve the perfect sauce consistency, and finish with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for a truly irresistible dish!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.25 cup vodka
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for garnish
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. The alcohol will cook off, leaving behind the flavor.
Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir well to combine and cook for 3-4 minutes until the tomato paste darkens slightly in color.
Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, use the reserved pasta water, adding a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined with the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3788 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 205.9 g | 264% | |
| Saturated Fat | 109.5 g | 548% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 445 mg | 148% | |
| Sodium | 6168 mg | 268% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 298.7 g | 109% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.7 g | 78% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.0 g | ||
| Protein | 142.4 g | 285% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.4 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 2749 mg | 211% | |
| Iron | 18.6 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 2753 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
