Penne In Vodka Sauce Pasta Recipe
Penne pasta in pink vodka sauce.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Vodka Sauce
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Water
In a large pot, bring 4-5 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
- 2
Cook the Penne
Add 12 oz of penne pasta to the boiling water. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 11-13 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 3
Drain the Pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and set aside. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
Making the Vodka Sauce
- 4
Heat the Olive Oil
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- 5
Sauté the Garlic
Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 6
Add Tomato Sauce and Vodka
Pour in 15 oz of tomato sauce and 1 cup of vodka. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off.
- 7
Incorporate Heavy Cream
Reduce the heat to low and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Mix until combined and the sauce turns a light pink color.
- 8
Add Cheese and Seasonings
Stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of chopped fresh basil, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
- 9
Combine Pasta with Sauce
Add the drained penne pasta to the vodka sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water until desired consistency is reached.
- 10
Serve
Serve the penne in vodka sauce hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
