Simple Penne Alla Vodka
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this Simple Penne Alla Vodka, a creamy, rich, and surprisingly easy pasta dish that's ready in just 35 minutes! Perfectly al dente penne is tossed in a luxurious vodka-infused tomato cream sauce, made vibrant with garlic, a touch of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, and the silky addition of heavy cream. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan and fresh basil adds the perfect finishing touch to this Italian-American classic. Whether you're hosting guests or craving comfort food, this quick and flavorful recipe will be your new go-to. Serve it warm with crusty bread on the side for a restaurant-quality meal at home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 3 Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.25 cup Vodka
- 14 oz Canned crushed tomatoes
- 0.5 cup Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the 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.
Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned.
Carefully pour in the vodka and let it simmer for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir until the sauce is well combined and creamy. Cook for another 2-3 minutes on low heat.
Toss the cooked penne into the skillet with the sauce. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir to combine.
Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
450 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.5 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.7 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 56 mg | 19% | |
| Sodium | 791 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 33.0 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.4 g | ||
| Protein | 10.1 g | 20% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 142 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 282 mg | 6% | |
*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.
