Penne with Vodka
Creamy, indulgent, and packed with vibrant flavor, this Penne with Vodka recipe is the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers. Featuring perfectly al dente penne coated in a luscious tomato-vodka sauce, this dish is elevated with a touch of heavy cream, a hint of garlic, and a kick of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. The addition of fresh basil and Parmesan cheese creates a beautifully balanced meal that's both hearty and sophisticated. Easy to prepare and ready in just 35 minutes, this classic Italian-American favorite is perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. Serve it with a crisp side salad or garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 400 grams crushed tomatoes
- 60 ml vodka
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 60 grams Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 5 chopped (plus extra for garnish) fresh basil leaves
Instructions
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 the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and bubbling.
Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute, until fragrant.
Carefully pour in the vodka, stirring to combine. Allow it to simmer for 3–4 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
Add the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the heavy cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, until the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
Toss the cooked penne into the skillet with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil, mixing well to coat the pasta evenly.
Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2682 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 103.5 g | 133% | |
| Saturated Fat | 51.0 g | 255% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 235 mg | 78% | |
| Sodium | 2830 mg | 123% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 328.4 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.5 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.5 g | ||
| Protein | 75.1 g | 150% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 662 mg | 51% | |
| Iron | 17.8 mg | 99% | |
| Potassium | 1895 mg | 40% | |
*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.
