Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla vodka is a classic Italian pasta dish that elevates a simple tomato sauce to a luxurious and indulgent level with the addition of vodka and cream. The combination of these ingredients creates a velvety and rich sauce that beautifully coats the penne pasta. In our recipe, we aimed to strike the perfect balance between a sauce that wasn’t too thin or chunky, and one that had a delightful tang from the vodka. By pulsing half of the tomatoes in a food processor and hand-chopping the rest, we achieved a texture that clung to the penne perfectly. Adding the vodka early in the cooking process allowed most of the alcohol to cook off, ensuring a harmonious flavor without overwhelming booziness. A touch of heavy cream provided a velvety smoothness while preserving the bright acidity of the tomatoes. Red pepper flakes added a kick of heat, which can be adjusted to personal preference. With this recipe, you can create a restaurant-worthy penne alla vodka that will impress your guests or satisfy your own cravings for a sumptuous pasta dish. Find the nutritional information below.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (28-ounce) can of whole peeled tomatoes, drained with juice reserved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
• Salt and pepper
• ⅓ cup vodka
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 pound penne
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Grated Parmesan cheese

PREPARATIONS:

1. Pulse half of the tomatoes in a food processor until smooth, approximately 12 pulses. Cut the remaining tomatoes into ½-inch pieces, discarding the cores. Combine the pureed and diced tomatoes in a liquid measuring cup and add the reserved juice to equal 2 cups. Discard any extra juice.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chopped onion and tomato paste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and lightly browned, for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, approximately 30 seconds.
3. Stir in the tomato mixture and ½ teaspoon of salt. Off the heat, add the vodka. Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and simmer, stirring often, until the alcohol flavor has cooked off, typically for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
4. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the penne pasta and 1 tablespoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the sauce and cook over medium heat, tossing to combine, until the pasta absorbs some of the sauce, which usually takes 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped basil, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add reserved cooking water as needed to adjust the consistency.
5. Serve the penne alla vodka with grated Parmesan cheese.

YIELD: This recipe serves approximately 4-6 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your desired level of heat.

TIPS:

• Be sure to reserve the cooking water from the pasta as it can be used to adjust the sauce’s consistency if needed.
• Top the penne alla vodka with additional fresh basil leaves for added freshness and flavor.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 25mg
• Carbohydrates: 64g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sodium: 550mg

Penne alla vodka is a dish that takes a simple tomato sauce and transforms it into a luxurious and flavorful experience. The combination of vodka and cream creates a velvety sauce that clings perfectly to the penne pasta. Our recipe balances the texture of the sauce by using both processed and hand-chopped tomatoes. By adding the vodka early in the cooking process, we ensure that the alcohol mostly cooks off, leaving a delightful zing without an overwhelming boozy taste. The touch of heavy cream adds a velvety smoothness without overpowering the bright acidity of the tomatoes. With a hint of red pepper flakes, this dish offers a pleasant kick of heat that can be adjusted to personal preference. When served with a sprinkling of fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, this penne alla vodka becomes a restaurant-worthy indulgence. By following our recipe and tips, you can recreate this classic Italian dish at home and savor its luxurious flavors.