Penne Pasta Vodka Sauce Recipe

Boil Water

In a large pot, bring 4-6 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt.

Cook Pasta

Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Drain Pasta

Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Do not rinse.

Sauté Aromatics

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Add Red Pepper Flakes

Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to release their flavor.

Deglaze with Vodka

Carefully add 1 cup of vodka to the skillet, scraping up any bits from the bottom. Cook until the vodka reduces by half, about 3-5 minutes.

Incorporate Tomatoes

Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken.

Add Cream and Cheese

Reduce heat to low, then stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.

Add Fresh Basil

Stir in the chopped fresh basil, reserving a small amount for garnish.

Combine

Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the vodka sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Serve

Serve hot, garnished with the reserved fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.