Penne with Vodka Sauce

Indulge in the creamy, dreamy flavors of Penne with Vodka Sauce, a classic Italian-American dish that’s both comforting and elegant. This recipe pairs tender penne pasta with a luscious vodka-infused tomato sauce, made irresistibly rich with heavy cream and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. The sauce is simmered to perfection, blending the tang of crushed tomatoes with the smooth finish of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, creating a symphony of flavors in every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for entertaining. Serve it piping hot and garnished with extra Parmesan for a restaurant-quality experience at home. Perfectly balanced and utterly satisfying, this Penne with Vodka Sauce will become a staple in your pasta repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 0.5 cups vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cups fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Step 3

Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken the sauce.

Step 4

Add the vodka to the skillet and stir well. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 7-8 minutes to cook off the alcohol, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 7

Add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.

Step 9

Serve the penne vodka hot, garnished with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1637.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2932.1

Total Fat 127.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 280mg	0%
Sodium 4117.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 300.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.4g	0%
Total Sugars 33.1g
Protein 70.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 848.8mg	0%
Iron 21.9mg	0%
Potassium 3502.7mg	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: 43.7%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 45.6%