Creamy, indulgent, and packed with bold flavors, Penne Sausages a La Vodka is a restaurant-worthy pasta dish you can effortlessly recreate at home. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with savory Italian sausage, a robust tomato-based vodka sauce, and just the right touch of heat from red pepper flakes. Heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese elevate the sauce to a luscious, velvety finish, while fresh basil adds a fragrant hint of brightness. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this 40-minute dish strikes the ultimate balance between comfort food and gourmet flair. Serve it piping hot for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove the casings from the Italian sausages, if applicable, and add the sausage meat to the skillet. Cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage, stirring frequently until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, ensuring it does not burn.
Carefully pour in the vodka and stir, allowing it to simmer for 1-2 minutes to let the alcohol cook off.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream to the sauce. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
Toss the cooked penne into the skillet with the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld together.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the Penne Sausages a La Vodka hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor, if desired. Enjoy!
Calories |
3362 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 156.7 g | 201% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.4 g | 302% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 344 mg | 115% | |
| Sodium | 5400 mg | 235% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 332.0 g | 121% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.5 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.4 g | ||
| Protein | 120.8 g | 242% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 856 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 21.4 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 2678 mg | 57% | |
*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.