Penne Alla Vodka
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
45 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Calories
727 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Penne Alla Vodka
Description
The recipe begins by sautéing onions, oregano, and red pepper flakes in olive oil and butter, building a fragrant foundation. Minced garlic is added briefly before canned whole peeled tomatoes and tomato paste are incorporated and simmered for 30 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavors. Vodka and heavy cream are then blended into the sauce, which is pureed smooth using an immersion blender, lending a luxurious, creamy consistency.
While the sauce simmers, penne pasta is cooked to al dente according to package instructions. The pasta water is reserved to adjust the sauce consistency as needed. The cooked penne is then combined with the rich vodka cream sauce, allowing the sauce to cling to each pasta piece. The dish is garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toasted baguette served alongside is recommended to soak up the vibrant sauce.
This Penne Alla Vodka balances the acidity of tomato with the richness of cream and the subtle sharpness of vodka. The spice from red pepper flakes adds a gentle heat, while the fresh herbs amplify the dish’s aromatic quality. The recipe notes suggest coconut cream as a substitute for heavy cream if desired for texture.
Ingredients
- 28 ounces whole peeled tomatoes (1 large can)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes crushed
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (see note)
- 1 pound penne pasta cooked to package instruction (reserve 1 cup pasta water
- kosher salt
- black pepper fresh ground
Garnish:
- basil fresh
- Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated
- baguette toasted, to scoop up sauce
Instructions
- In your dutch oven or large sauce pot, over medium/high heat, add olive oil and butter. Once butter has melted add in the onion, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper, and stir to combine. Allow the onion to cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add in the canned tomatoes and using your cooking spoon, carefully break up the tomatoes. Add in the tomato paste, stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a simmer for 30 minutes.
- After sauce has reduced for 30 minutes, add in the vodka, the cream, and using an immersion blender, blend until sauce is completely smooth (see note). Raise heat to high and bring the sauce to a boil, once the sauce is boiling reduce to a simmer and allow to reduce while pasta cooks.
- In a large pasta pot, bring water to a boil with 2 tsp of kosher salt. Cook the penne to al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta. Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce and stir to combine. You can use the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with fresh basil and grated cheese.
Notes
- If you lack an immersion blender, carefully use a heat-safe blender to purée the sauce until smooth.
- Heavy cream can be replaced with coconut cream for a different texture; ensure it is thick coconut cream, not milk.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 727 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 727kcal | 36% |
| Carbohydrates | 99g | 33% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 49mg | 16% |
| Sodium | 338mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 775mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 985IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 128mg | 13% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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