Penne alla Vodka

This penne alla vodka is tender penne pasta tossed in a rich and delicious tomato, vodka and cream sauce. Add a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and you'll have a restaurant quality meal in the comfort of your own home.

Course Main

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 521kcal

Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

16 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes plus more for garnish if desired
28 ounce can Italian style or San Marzano whole tomatoes
1/4 cup vodka
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce.
Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds.
Place the tomatoes in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Pour the tomato puree into the pan.
Add the vodka to the pan. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes over medium low heat.
Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and simmer for another 5 minutes or until thickened. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parsley, parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (optional), then serve.

Video

Notes

Make sure you let the sauce simmer for long enough so that the alcohol will cook off. If you don’t cook the sauce for long enough, you may end up with a harsh aftertaste from the alcohol.
You can make this sauce a day before you plan to use it. Simply reheat it on the stove while your pasta cooks, then toss everything together and serve.
Do not use the green can of shelf stable parmesan cheese in this recipe! Fresh cheese is best.

Nutrition