Penne Ala Vodka

Indulge in the rich, creamy decadence of Penne Ala Vodka, a classic Italian-American pasta dish that's equal parts comfort food and sophisticated dining. Perfectly cooked al dente penne is enveloped in a luxurious vodka-infused tomato cream sauce, enhanced by the caramelized sweetness of tomato paste, aromatic garlic, and a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes. A splash of vodka adds depth to the sauce, while heavy cream and Parmesan cheese create a velvety finish. Topped with fresh basil and extra Parmesan for garnish, this recipe is a restaurant-quality meal made simple in your own kitchen. Ready in just 40 minutes, Penne Ala Vodka is perfect for date nights, family dinners, or whenever you're craving indulgent pasta perfection!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 0.5 cup vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.75 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
• 4 quarts water
• 2 tbsp kosher salt (for boiling water)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water (4 quarts) to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to the boiling water and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter is melted and bubbling.

Step 3

Add the finely diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it deepens in color and becomes slightly caramelized.

Step 6

Slowly pour in the vodka, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and smooth.

Step 8

Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated. Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, adjusting to taste.

Step 9

Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat it thoroughly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Step 10

Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil for a burst of flavor and freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5211.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4130.3

Total Fat 191.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 98.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 444.9mg	0%
Sodium 17022.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 391.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.9g	0%
Total Sugars 27.1g
Protein 135.0g	0%

Vitamin D 71.4IU	0%
Calcium 2329.0mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 3056.0mg	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: 45.0%

Protein: 14.1%

Carbs: 40.9%