Penne alla Vodka
on Dec 07, 2021, Updated Jun 04, 2024
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This Penne alla Vodka is everything I want in a plate of pasta: creamy, cheesy and so so delicious. To be honest, if I could have 🍝 pasta for all 3 meals of the day, I totally would lol. Pasta is probably my favorite food in the world and I can never get enough. This Penne alla Vodka recipe makes 2 big portions, or serve a little less and you can have 🍽️ leftovers for lunch the next day.
Why You’ll Love Penne alla Vodka
I love Penne alla Vodka because it switches up a basic 🍅 tomato sauce while adding a ton of flavor in not a lot of time. It’s comfort food at its best, luscious and creamy and utterly delicious. I love adding fresh 🧄 garlic for great flavor, as well as nutty Parmesan cheese but feel free to add in what you love. This is a great classic pasta dish to have in your repertoire.
How to Prepare Penne alla Vodka
🫒 Start by warming up the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
🧅 Now, add the onions or shallot and sauté until translucent.
🧄 Next, add the chili flakes and garlic and then give everything a stir.
🔥 Pour in the vodka and make sure you cook it off completely.
🍅 Now, add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and salt to taste.
⏲️ Cover with a lid and let it reduce for 5 to 10 minutes on low heat.
🥛 Next, add in your heavy cream and Parmesan cheese and then stir.
♨️ Keep the heat on low and let it simmer and thicken.
💧 Meanwhile, cook the penne in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
🧑🍳 When it’s cooked, add it into the sauce along with a bit of the starchy cooking water.
🥄 Now, give everything a stir together and enjoy!
Nonna’s Tip 🍝
If you are dairy-free, you can absolutely use the cream from a can of coconut milk or even cashew cream sauce instead of cream.
Variations and Substitutions for Penne alla Vodka
- If you are dairy-free, you can absolutely use the cream from a can of 🥥 coconut milk or even cashew cream sauce instead of cream.
- Parmesan in the sauce is totally optional.
- You can also cook finely cubed pancetta pieces with the garlic and onions.
- I use our homemade tomato sauce which only has 🍅 tomatoes salt and basil in it. Feel free to use a good-quality tomato sauce or a can of crushed tomatoes.
- Garnish this Penne a la Vodka with some additional Parmesan cheese and 🌿 basil leaves.
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Pink Pasta
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Best Served With
- Pasta and salad is the perfect combo. Serve this with my Simple Green Salad or Caprese Salad.
- Serve Penne a la Vodka with homemade garlic bread.
- Serve it as a side to a protein, such as simple baked chicken.
Common Questions
Yes, you can omit the vodka if you’d prefer. It adds a subtle flavor and helps emulsify the sauce, but the dish will still be delicious without it. You can substitute it with a bit of water or chicken broth if you like.
You can use half-and-half, whole milk, or a non-dairy alternative like coconut milk or almond milk, though the texture and flavor may vary slightly.
Yes, you can use any pasta you enjoy! Penne is traditional, but spaghetti, farfalle, rigatoni, or fusilli work well too.
If you’re using pancetta, please add it in while sautéing the onions and garlic.
Yes, you can make this even more substantial by adding in vegetables such as bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini. Sauté them with the onions and garlic for added flavor and nutrition.
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop before adding the cooked pasta. You can also freeze the sauce for another meal!
If your sauce is on the thicker side, simply add more starchy pasta water to thin it out (or plain water as well). If it’s too thin, you can reduce it for longer on the stove (raise the heat slightly as well).
Penne alla Vodka
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a skillet on medium heat add the olive oil and heat it up. Add the onions or shallot and sauté until translucent. Add the chilli flakes and garlic and give it a stir.
- Pour in the vodka and make sure you cook it off completely. Once it has cooked off you can add in the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and salt to taste.
- Cover with a lid and let it reduce for 5 to 10 minutes on low heat. Add as much heavy cream as you like and Parm and give it a stir.
- Keep the heat on low and let it simmer and thicken while you cook your pasta.
- Cook the pasta of choice in boiling salted water until al dente and once it’s done you can add it into your pan with a little bit of the starchy cooking water. Give it a stir, and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I recently made this and it was phenomenal! It turned out even better than the one at my local restaurant that I have ordered probably 10 times before. Thank you!
wow this is a HUGE compliment! So happy Heather