Pasta with Vodka

Elevate your pasta night with this indulgent Pasta with Vodka recipe—a creamy, rich dish that balances bold flavors and comforting textures. Perfectly cooked penne pasta is coated in a luscious vodka-infused tomato sauce, enriched with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese for a velvety finish. Sautéed onions and garlic lend depth to the sauce, while a hint of crushed red pepper flakes adds optional heat. Fresh basil adds a fragrant, herbaceous touch to this Italian-inspired classic. Ideal for date night dinners or easy yet impressive entertaining, this 45-minute recipe is guaranteed to wow your taste buds. Serve it piping hot with a side of garlic bread and extra Parmesan for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 cup vodka
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 4 quarts water (for boiling pasta)
• 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling pasta)

Directions

Step 1

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and the penne pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Carefully pour in the vodka and simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, ensuring the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Continue to simmer for 5 more minutes.

Step 7

Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and well incorporated.

Step 8

Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil over the pasta and stir gently.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot with extra Parmesan cheese on the side, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5498.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2764.0

Total Fat 112.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 50.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 222mg	0%
Sodium 9768.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 304.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.9g	0%
Total Sugars 29.6g
Protein 69.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 693.2mg	0%
Iron 20.6mg	0%
Potassium 2739.8mg	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: 40.3%

Protein: 11.0%

Carbs: 48.7%