Description
Irresistible creamy vodka pasta blends Italian culinary tradition with modern comfort. Rich tomato sauce, smooth cream, and perfectly cooked pasta create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato puree
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vodka
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve a cup of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30-45 seconds until aromatic and garlic turns golden.
- Carefully introduce vodka to the skillet, allowing it to reduce and concentrate flavors for approximately 2-3 minutes. The alcohol will slowly evaporate, leaving behind a rich essence.
- Pour in tomato puree, stirring continuously. Simmer the mixture for 4-5 minutes, letting the sauce develop a deep, complex flavor profile.
- Reduce heat to low and gently incorporate heavy cream, creating a luxurious, velvety texture. Stir consistently for 1-2 minutes until the sauce becomes smooth and uniform.
- Add cooked pasta directly into the sauce, tossing meticulously to ensure every strand is generously coated. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, season with salt and black pepper, and mix thoroughly.
- If the sauce seems too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. Finish by garnishing with freshly torn basil leaves and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Simmer vodka thoroughly to burn off harsh alcohol notes, ensuring a smooth, refined sauce flavor without raw liquor taste.
- Add cream off direct heat to prevent curdling and maintain silky, luxurious sauce consistency.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust sauce thickness if needed, helping create perfect coating without dryness.
- Easily make vegetarian by using plant-based cream and omitting Parmesan, or gluten-free by selecting appropriate pasta alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 499 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 312 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 42 mg