Pasta Alla Vodka

Creamy, indulgent, and packed with robust Italian flavors, Pasta Alla Vodka is the ultimate comfort food that’s effortlessly elegant. This classic dish combines penne pasta with a luxuriously smooth vodka-infused tomato cream sauce, perfectly balanced with the buttery richness of Parmesan cheese and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Caramelized tomato paste and a splash of vodka create a deep, complex flavor profile, harmonized beautifully by the addition of heavy cream. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is a show-stopper for cozy weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for entertaining. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan, for a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g Penne pasta
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 units Garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp Tomato paste
• 60 ml Vodka
• 120 ml Heavy cream
• 60 g Grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 0 to taste Salt
• 0 to taste Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly and deepen in flavor.

Step 5

Carefully pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off while the mixture reduces slightly.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Add the red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce, along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir to combine, adding more pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.

Step 8

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and cook for another minute, allowing the cheese to melt into the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Pair with extra Parmesan for sprinkling on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(876.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2772.1

Total Fat 117.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 242mg	0%
Sodium 3461.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 317.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.7g	0%
Total Sugars 10.9g
Protein 78.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 740.7mg	0%
Iron 17.2mg	0%
Potassium 1583.1mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.1%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 48.0%