Creamy Vodka Sauce Pasta
A rich and silky pasta dish featuring a tomato cream sauce with a subtle kick from vodka. This classic Italian American recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Penne tossed in a luxurious tomato vodka cream sauce ready in under 40 minutes.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
pasta
sauce
topping
seasoning
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 ml of pasta water before draining.
Saute the Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Add Vodka and Tomatoes
Pour in the vodka and let it cook off for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring. Add the crushed tomatoes, season with salt, and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Finish with Cream
Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns a deep orange color. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Combine and Serve
Toss the drained pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency. Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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