Our Penne Vodka Recipe is made with the most amazing, homemade vodka sauce! So good it tastes just like you ordered it at a restaurant, or maybe even better.
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta (16 ounce box)
- 3/4 cup onion, diced small
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (depending on the level of spiciness you want)
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup vodka
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 3/4 – 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded or grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start a large pot of water over high heat to boil the pasta. Cook the penne 1-2 minutes shy of the package directions and drain. Do not rinse.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the vodka sauce by heating a large skillet with olive oil over low heat. Add the onions and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often so the onions don’t burn.
- Once the onions have softened and browned slightly add the crushed red pepper flakes and the garlic. Stir and cook for a minute longer and then stir in the tomato paste.
- Carefully pour in the vodka, whisk and let it reduce for 2 minutes.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes in the skillet and whisk until smooth. Add the oregano, basil, salt and pepper, stir and then simmer partially covered with a lid for 20 minutes. Stir the sauce occasionally.
- Whisk in the cream to finish the sauce, taste for seasonings and then remove from the heat.
- Add the drained pasta back to the pot that it was cooked in. Pour in the vodka sauce and the parmesan cheese and stir to combine with the penne.
- Serve with extra parmesan cheese on the side and fresh basil if desired.
Recipe Notes
If you are cooking on a gas stove, turn off the flame before you pour in the vodka.
Store: Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a pot on the stove until just warmed through. Add a splash of cream if you need to loosen the sauce.
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Italian / American
