4.8 from 183 votes
Zia Francesca's Penne alla Vodka
One of the easiest, but tastiest pasta recipes you'll ever make. Get ready for rave reviews.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 5
Calories: 682 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
- 5 cloves garlic smashed with the flat part of a knife blade
- ⅓ cup pancetta cut into small pieces (omit for vegetarian)
- 1 small bunch Italian parsley chopped
- 26 oz Italian tomato puree (good quality)
- ⅛ tsp sea salt to taste
- ¼ cup vodka (good quality)
- 2 oz heavy cream (preferably organic)
- 5 leaves basil
- 1 lb pasta (good quality)
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the penne according to the instructions on the box. It is important to use enough water, and to add the pasta only when the water is boiling; stir often to avoid the pasta sticking (do not add oil to the water, it is unecessary.)
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium to med-high heat in a very large, deep sauté pan, then add the pancetta and cook for a minute or two, then add the garlic.
- When the garlic just begins to brown, add the chopped parsley, and turn the burner up to high. After a minute or so (when the pan is very hot), add the tomato puree and have the lid ready in case it bubbles out of the pan, then stir quickly with a wooden spoon.
- Do not cook the sauce with the lid on, lower the heat, but cook the sauce so it is briskly simmering (this is a quick sauce, not one which simmers low and long.)
- Add salt and continue to stir often, making sure it doesn't dry up.
- After approximately 7 or 8 minutes, when the sauce has started to thicken, check for salt, then add the vodka and stir well.
- Add the cream, and stir well. Once it comes to a simmer, turn off the heat.
- Last, but not least, stir in the chopped basil.
- When the pasta is ready (make sure it is al dente), drain it in a colander, but reserve some pasta water. Add the pasta to the vodka sauce and stir well. Add pasta water as needed.
- If this is a weeknight meal, I just serve it from the pot, and add a little sauce to each plate. If you are serving to guests, prepare a large pasta bowl, by warming it with very hot water, then add the pasta with sauce, and top with more sauce and a sprig of basil, or some chopped Italian parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Be sure to keep some pasta water to use in the final step.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1bowl
Calories
682kcal
(34%)
Carbohydrates
83g
(28%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
16g
Trans Fat
0.02g
Cholesterol
23mg
(8%)
Sodium
220mg
(9%)
Potassium
968mg
(28%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
10g
(20%)
Vitamin A
1911IU
(38%)
Vitamin C
32mg
(36%)
Calcium
76mg
(8%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 682
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1bowl | |
| Calories | 682kcal | 34% |
| Carbohydrates | 83g | 28% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 220mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 968mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 1911IU | 38% |
| Vitamin C | 32mg | 36% |
| Calcium | 76mg | 8% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.