Description
Creamy penne alla vodka pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with rich, velvety sauce. Parmesan cheese and fresh basil elevate this classic comfort dish for home cooks seeking delightful Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes or tomato puree
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup vodka
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil. Immerse penne pasta, cooking until achieving a precise al dente consistency. Drain, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid.
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, creating a flavor-packed base that releases intense aromatics.
- Vodka Transformation: Pour vodka into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce, mellowing its sharp edge and developing a sophisticated flavor profile. Add crushed tomatoes, creating a robust sauce that simmers gently while stirring periodically.
- Creamy Integration: Fold heavy cream into the tomato mixture, developing a silky, luxurious texture. Incorporate the perfectly cooked pasta, ensuring each piece is thoroughly enrobed in the vibrant sauce. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Final Embellishment: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it dissolves completely into the sauce. Finish with a flourish of chopped fresh basil or parsley, bringing a bright, herbaceous note that elevates the entire dish’s sensory experience.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Water: Keep a small cup of starchy pasta water before draining. This liquid gold helps adjust sauce consistency and adds silky smoothness to your final dish.
- Choose Quality Vodka: Select a clean, neutral vodka that won’t overpower the sauce’s delicate flavor profile. Higher-quality vodka ensures a more refined taste without harsh alcohol notes.
- Master Sauce Reduction: Simmer vodka slowly to allow alcohol to evaporate completely, transforming sharp liquor into a nuanced flavor enhancer. Patience prevents bitter undertones and creates a more balanced sauce.
- Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat when adding cream to prevent separation or curdling. Gentle incorporation ensures a smooth, luxurious sauce that coats pasta beautifully without breaking or becoming grainy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg