Penne alla Vodka is a rich, creamy pasta dish of al dente penne coated in a spicy tomato sauce infused with vodka then finished with grated Parmesan cheese. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and it’s absolutely delicious. You’re gonna love this dish.Serves 4 - 6
¾cupfreshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese plus more for topping*
Basil leaves for garnish if you wish
Instructions
Cook penne to al dente according to package.
Meanwhile, add oil to a large skillet over medium high heat and sauté the onions until soft and translucent - about 5 - 8 minutes.
Add garlic and stir until fragrant - about 30 seconds.
Sprinkle in the red pepper and give it a stir.
Carefully add the tomatoes because they may splatter and give it a stir.
Add the salt and pepper to taste. Taste and season and adjust for salt and pepper. If you find it too peppery don’t worry because the cream will mellow everything out later.
Pour in the vodka. I add the vodka to the can from the tomatoes and give it a swirl to get every bit out. Give it a stir and bring it to a good simmer just enough so it’s bubbling but without it splattering all over the place. Adjust the heat.
Let it cook for a few minutes to evaporate the booze, then pour in the cream and stir. Cook just until it’s heated through - about a minute.
Drain the pasta and add the penne to the skillet. Stir it until the pasta is coated.
Add the grated cheese off heat and stir. The sauce will thicken.
Serve and garnish with some basil leaves if you want to get all fancy. Enjoy this delicious dish.
Notes
This dish is usually made with whole San Marzano tomatoes which are crushed or processed until they’re finely chopped. Using San Marzano gives a delicious sweet flavor and I recommend using them if you have them. I usually use crushed peeled tomatoes because I always have it in my pantry and it saves a step. If you do use San Marzano tomatoes, simply blend or process them along with their liquid until they’re ground then continue with recipe. You can also crush them in a bowl with your hands before adding to sauce.If you want a smooth velvety sauce, blend the tomatoes until smooth before adding to pan.