Pearl Onions Vodka Cream Sauce with Penne
Elevate your pasta night with this luxurious Pearl Onions Vodka Cream Sauce with Penne! Perfectly al dente penne is coated in a velvety sauce made from fragrant garlic, caramelized pearl onions, and a splash of vodka for a bold depth of flavor. A hint of crushed red pepper adds subtle heat, while heavy cream and Parmesan cheese create a rich, creamy base. Finished with fresh basil and a touch of butter, this gourmet dish is deceptively simple yet incredibly indulgent. It's perfect for date nights, dinner parties, or whenever you need a comforting, restaurant-quality pasta recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 1 cup Pearl onions
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 units Garlic cloves (minced)
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 0.5 cup Vodka
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil (chopped)
- 4 quarts Water (for boiling pasta)
- 1 tbsp Salt (for pasta water)
Instructions
Fill a large pot with 4 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the water.
Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, blanch the pearl onions by placing them in a small pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and peel the skins off the onions.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the peeled pearl onions and cook until they start to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Carefully pour in the vodka, stirring to incorporate. Allow the alcohol to simmer and reduce for 3-4 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, allowing the sauce to thicken, about 5 minutes.
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and unsalted butter to the sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.
Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Toss the cooked penne pasta into the skillet with the vodka cream sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
Garnish the dish with fresh basil and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
668 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 41.7 g | 53% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.1 g | 110% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 93 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 2418 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.1 g | ||
| Protein | 17.4 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 354 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 220 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.
