Description
A simple, forgiving, and creamy weeknight dinner featuring penne pasta in a rich vodka sauce made with tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 can (14-15 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 pound penne pasta
- Salt (for pasta water)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, measure vodka and cream, and grate Parmesan.
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining. Do not rinse pasta.
- While pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and a pinch of salt; cook for 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in vodka and simmer for 2 minutes to cook off the alcohol, scraping up brown bits from the pan.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and darkens.
- Reduce heat to low. Pour in heavy cream and stir to warm through for 2 minutes. Do not boil vigorously.
- Remove pan from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese gradually until melted and smooth.
- Add drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Notes
Save the starchy pasta water to help bind the sauce. Remove the pan from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess. Let the tomato sauce simmer fully before adding cream to mellow the acidity. Use room temperature cream to prevent separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
Keywords: vodka sauce, creamy penne, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, Italian pasta, simple dinner, comfort food