Pasta Alla Vodka
Creamy, indulgent, and packed with robust Italian flavors, Pasta Alla Vodka is the ultimate comfort food that’s effortlessly elegant. This classic dish combines penne pasta with a luxuriously smooth vodka-infused tomato cream sauce, perfectly balanced with the buttery richness of Parmesan cheese and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Caramelized tomato paste and a splash of vodka create a deep, complex flavor profile, harmonized beautifully by the addition of heavy cream. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is a show-stopper for cozy weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for entertaining. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, for a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 units Garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 60 ml Vodka
- 120 ml Heavy cream
- 60 g Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly and deepen in flavor.
Carefully pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off while the mixture reduces slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cook for another minute, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Pair with extra Parmesan for sprinkling on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
490 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.9 g | 36% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.8 g | 69% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 60 mg | 20% | |
| Sodium | 760 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 36.9 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.5 g | ||
| Protein | 13.0 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 197 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 216 mg | 5% | |
*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.
