Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce, a restaurant-quality dish you can easily master at home! This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a velvety tomato-cream sauce infused with a bold kick of crushed red pepper and a splash of vodka for depth and richness. Sautéed onions and garlic create a fragrant base, while tomato paste intensifies the sauce's robust flavor. Finished with a generous swirl of heavy cream, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil, this dish strikes the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savory. Ready in just 40 minutes, it's an elegant yet approachable dinner idea that’s perfect for date nights or impressing guests. Serve with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete, irresistible meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 0.5 cups vodka
- 1 cups heavy cream
- 0.75 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 0.5 cups reserved pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and stir until it is evenly combined with the onions and garlic. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the tomato paste darkens in color.
Carefully pour in the vodka and stir to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the mixture to thicken slightly.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well combined. Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle in the chopped fresh basil.
Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
632 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.0 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.8 g | 99% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 90 mg | 30% | |
| Sodium | 791 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.3 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.2 g | ||
| Protein | 13.5 g | 27% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 209 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 1.9 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 456 mg | 10% | |
*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.
