Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of this Italian-American penne alla vodka recipe. This pasta dish combines penne pasta, tomato sauce, and vodka for a unique and flavorful experience. The addition of heavy cream adds a luxurious richness to the dish, making it a perfect choice for a special occasion or date night. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 25 minutes, this recipe is quick and easy to make. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a side of garlic bread for a complete meal. This recipe serves 4-6 people and can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
Penne alla vodka is a delicious Italian-American pasta dish that is made with penne pasta, tomato sauce, and vodka. The vodka adds a unique and subtle flavor to the dish, and the addition of cream makes it rich and creamy.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword penne alla vodka, penne vodka sauce
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 25 minutesminutes
Total Time 35 minutesminutes
Servings 4People
Author Jeremy Sciarappa
Ingredients
1lbPenne pasta
2tbspOlive oil
1Small oniondiced
3Cloves garlicminced
1tspRed pepper flakesoptional
1cupVodka
28ozCan crushed tomatoes
1cupHeavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
basilfor garnish
Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for an additional 1 minute.
Pour in the vodka and cook until it has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Flavor: The vodka adds a subtle and unique flavor to the dish that complements the tomato sauce and cream.Reduces acidity: The acidity of the tomatoes can sometimes be overpowering, but the vodka helps to balance it out and reduce the acidity of the sauce.Thins the sauce: The vodka helps to thin out the tomato sauce and make it easier to coat the pasta.
Add the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente.
Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper.
Add the cooked penne to the sauce and toss to coat.