Description
This Easy Penne Alla Vodka recipe is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish that combines a rich tomato and vodka sauce with parmesan cheese and tender penne pasta. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a casual dinner with friends. The smooth sauce enriched with heavy cream and the sharpness of parmesan make this Italian-inspired classic a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup vodka
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about one minute, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add seasonings and tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture, stirring continuously, until the tomato paste becomes fragrant, approximately 1 minute.
- Incorporate vodka and pasta water: Pour in the vodka and reserved pasta water. Stir and cook the sauce until it begins to thicken slightly, which helps cook off the alcohol and concentrate flavors.
- Create the creamy sauce: Add the heavy cream to the skillet, stir well, and allow the sauce to warm through. Then add the freshly grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine with pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly. Heat together for a minute or two to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Serve the Penne Alla Vodka immediately, garnished with freshly minced parsley if desired for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Be sure to reserve some pasta water before draining the penne; it helps in achieving a silky sauce texture.
- Cooking the vodka sufficiently is important to reduce its harsh alcohol flavor.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for better melting and flavor release compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
