Penne with Vodka Sauce
Indulge in the luxurious, creamy goodness of Penne with Vodka Sauce, a timeless Italian-American classic that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special occasion. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich, velvety sauce made from crushed tomatoes, a splash of vodka, and heavy cream, creating a perfectly balanced blend of tangy, savory, and mildly spicy flavors. Aromatic garlic and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes add a delightful kick, while freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil provide the perfect finishing touch. With just 40 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is simple yet restaurant-worthy, making it a go-to dish for pasta lovers everywhere. Serve your Penne alla Vodka with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for an irresistible meal! Keywords: Penne alla Vodka recipe, creamy vodka sauce, Italian pasta dishes, easy weeknight dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cups vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cups fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the 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 over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the sauce.
Add the vodka to the skillet and stir well. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 7-8 minutes to cook off the alcohol, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.
Serve the penne vodka hot, garnished with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese as desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
560 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 30.8 g | 39% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.0 g | 75% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 70 mg | 23% | |
| Sodium | 925 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.5 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.5 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.1 g | ||
| Protein | 11.3 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 170 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 514 mg | 11% | |
*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.
