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The Best Penne alla Vodka Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 94 reviews

This Penne alla Vodka recipe is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that perfectly balances the richness of heavy cream with the tangy depth of tomato paste and a subtle kick from vodka. Cooked al dente penne pasta is tossed in a luscious, silky vodka sauce enhanced by sautéed onions, garlic, fresh basil, and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian-inspired meal that’s simple yet elegant.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, sliced thin (optional, to taste)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a generously salted pot of water to a boil and cook the penne pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain when done and set aside.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and butter. Once melted, sauté the finely chopped onion for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
  3. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Deglaze with vodka: Pour in the vodka and allow the sauce to bubble for about 30 seconds to cook off the alcohol and deepen the flavor.
  5. Incorporate tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, consistent sauce base.
  6. Add cream and thicken: Pour in the heavy cream and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook the sauce for a couple of minutes until it thickens nicely, stirring occasionally. You can cook longer if you want a thicker sauce.
  7. Season and combine: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If using, stir in the sliced fresh basil. Toss the drained pasta into the skillet, combining well with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with a splash of hot pasta water.
  8. Serve: Serve the pasta hot, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • You can adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding hot pasta water if it becomes too thick to coat the pasta evenly.
  • Use good quality vodka for the best flavor; the alcohol cooks off but the subtle flavor remains.
  • Fresh basil adds a nice herbal note but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • The tomato paste provides a concentrated, rich tomato flavor – do not use canned tomato sauce as a substitute for the same effect.

Keywords: Penne alla Vodka, creamy vodka pasta, Italian pasta recipe, penne pasta with vodka sauce, easy pasta dinner

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/the-best-penne-alla-vodka-recipe/