Vodka Sauce with Penne
Creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor, this Vodka Sauce with Penne recipe is an irresistible weeknight dinner that feels like a gourmet treat. The silky, pink-hued sauce is crafted by blending crushed tomatoes, a splash of vodka, and velvety heavy cream, then elevated with the bold savoriness of garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Tossed with tender penne pasta, every bite is infused with robust, restaurant-quality flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes, this crowd-pleaser is finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil for a touch of elegance and vibrant aroma. Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests, serve it with warm crusty bread and a side salad for a complete Italian-inspired 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
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cups vodka
- 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 0.75 cups heavy cream
- 1 cups parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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 and set aside.
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Carefully pour in the vodka and stir, allowing it to simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated, creating a pink-hued sauce.
Add the grated parmesan cheese and mix until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
Toss the cooked penne pasta into the vodka sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency with the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time.
Garnish with freshly chopped basil and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
640 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.6 g | 46% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.2 g | 91% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 82 mg | 27% | |
| Sodium | 1201 mg | 52% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 41.7 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.1 g | ||
| Protein | 17.4 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 389 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 552 mg | 12% | |
*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.
