Penne alla Vodka

Name: Penne alla Vodka
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb penne pasta; 2 tbsp butter; 1 shallot, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp tomato paste; 1/2 cup vodka; 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz can); 1/2 cup heavy cream; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 2 tbsp fresh basil, torn

Silky cream sauce infused with tomato, vodka and a hint of spice. A rich, elegant Italian-American pasta that feels special.

30 minEasyServes 4420 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerStovetopVegetarian

Ingredients

1 lb penne pasta
2 tbsp butter
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup vodka
1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz can)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp fresh basil, torn

Instructions

1

Cook 1 lb penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2

Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 minced shallot and 2 cloves minced garlic, cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
3

Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4

Carefully add 1/2 cup vodka and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and cook off alcohol.
5

Add 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz can) and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
6

Reduce heat to low and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
7

Toss cooked penne with sauce. Season with 1/2 tsp salt.
8

Top with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese and 2 tbsp torn fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Questions

Can I make Penne alla Vodka dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 2 tbsp butter, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Penne alla Vodka gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 lb penne pasta. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Penne alla Vodka keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Penne alla Vodka?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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