Penne alla Vodka
Penne alla Vodka is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that combines the warm flavors of tomato, cream, and a splash of vodka. This delightful meal is much easier to prepare than it sounds, and once you give it a try, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it! Perfect for cozy nights in or impressing guests, this vibrant dish has a touch of elegance, yet all the soul of classic comfort food.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne Pasta You can use any pasta you like—farfalle or fusilli work too!
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Vegetable oil can be a substitute
- 1 small Onion finely chopped (Shallots are a nice alternative here)
- 2 cloves Garlic minced (A teaspoon of garlic powder can be used in a pinch)
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Adjust to your spice level
- 1 can 15 oz Tomato Sauce (Crushed tomatoes can give a chunkier flair)
- 1/2 cup Vodka If you really want to skip it, you can use chicken broth for flavor
- 1 cup Heavy Cream For a lighter option, half-and-half is great
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese grated (Feel free to use Pecorino or nutritional yeast for a vegan twist!)
- Fresh Basil for garnish (Dried basil works too, but fresh is a treat!)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Fill a big pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, toss in a generous pinch of salt and the penne pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions (usually about 10-12 minutes). Don’t forget to reserve about 1 cup of that starchy pasta water before you drain the noodles!
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it’s translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Then, add in the minced garlic and the red pepper flakes. Stir it up for about 1 minute until fragrant—trust me, your kitchen will smell divine!
- Add the Tomato Sauce: Next, pour the tomato sauce into the skillet. Give it a gentle stir and let it simmer for about 3 minutes to let those flavors cozy up to each other!
- Add the Vodka: Here comes the fun part: pour in the vodka! This helps elevate the sauce and adds that lovely dimension we all adore. Let it simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing some of the alcohol to evaporate. Don’t worry, it won’t taste like vodka!
- Create Creamy Goodness: Now it’s time to add that luscious heavy cream! Stir it into your sauce until it's well combined. Next, season with salt and pepper to your taste. This is where we get creamy and dreamy!
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add your drained pasta into the pan with the sauce. Mix it gently to coat every piece of penne with that glorious sauce. If it looks a bit thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Cheese and Serve: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese for that savory kick, and garnish with fresh basil. Plate it up, and boom—you’ve got Penne alla Vodka that’s ready to steal the show!