Pasta Alla Vodka Recipe
Penne pasta in a creamy vodka sauce with a touch of tomato.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Method
Cooking Pasta
Boil the pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Making the Sauce
Sauté shallots and garlic
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallots and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they are translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Add vodka
Pour in the vodka, scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Allow it to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, letting the alcohol evaporate slightly.
Incorporate tomatoes
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 5 minutes.
Make it creamy
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Mix well until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. Add the chopped fresh basil and mix well.
Serve
Plate the pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, garnish with more fresh basil and serve immediately.
