Penne a la Vodka
Indulge in the creamy richness of Penne a la Vodka, a classic Italian-American comfort dish that perfectly balances bold flavors and simplicity. This recipe features tender penne pasta coated in a luscious sauce made with crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and a splash of vodka for a subtly tangy kick. Aromatic garlic and onion are sautéed in olive oil to create a fragrant base, while a touch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat. Finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of vibrant basil, this dish is as elegant as it is satisfying. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Serve it hot and watch it become a crowd favorite! Keywords: easy penne a la vodka recipe, creamy vodka sauce pasta, quick Italian pasta dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the vodka and simmer for 5-7 minutes or until the alcohol has reduced by half.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the onion and garlic.
Stir in the heavy cream, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and continue to cook for another minute to melt the cheese.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil.
Serve the penne a la vodka hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
576 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.5 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.3 g | 77% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 71 mg | 24% | |
| Sodium | 604 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.7 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.7 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.8 g | ||
| Protein | 11.9 g | 24% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 155 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 653 mg | 14% | |
*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.
