Pasta with Spicy Creamy Vodka Tomato Sauce

Elevate your pasta night with this irresistible Pasta with Spicy Creamy Vodka Tomato Sauce—a dish that’s as luxurious as it is satisfying. Perfectly al dente penne is coated in a velvety, vodka-infused tomato sauce enriched with heavy cream and a touch of fiery crushed red pepper flakes for just the right amount of heat. Caramelized tomato paste and fresh garlic bring depth to the sauce, while Parmesan cheese and fresh basil add a finishing burst of flavor. With only 40 minutes from prep to plate, this restaurant-quality recipe is easy enough for weeknights yet elegant enough for dinner parties. Serve it with a crisp salad and crusty bread for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 400 grams Crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 120 milliliters Vodka
• 240 milliliters Heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper (freshly cracked)
• 60 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 10 grams Fresh basil leaves (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the olive oil and unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to caramelize it, enhancing its flavor. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine with the paste.

Step 4

Pour the vodka into the skillet and stir. Cook for 3-4 minutes, allowing the alcohol to simmer off and the flavors to meld together.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and slowly stir in the heavy cream. Cook for 2-3 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.

Step 6

Season the sauce with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated. Cook for another minute to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves.

Step 10

Serve immediately, with additional Parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1371.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3392.0

Total Fat 157.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 77.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 350mg	0%
Sodium 3901.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 336.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.0g	0%
Total Sugars 23.1g
Protein 82.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 801.4mg	0%
Iron 19.9mg	0%
Potassium 2475.8mg	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: 45.8%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 43.6%