Penne Ala Vodka Recipe
Penne pasta tossed in a creamy, rich vodka sauce that’s perfectly balanced with a hint of tomato and a touch of heat. Choose your protein—savory sausage, tender chicken, or succulent shrimp.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Pasta
Vodka Sauce
Protein (choose one)
Garnish
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Cook the Penne Pasta
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Vodka Sauce Preparation
- 2
Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing until garlic is fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute.
- 3
Add Tomato Puree and Vodka
Pour in the tomato puree and vodka. Stir and let simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the alcohol to evaporate slightly.
- 4
Add Cream and Cheese
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Protein Preparation
- 5
Cook the Protein
In another skillet, cook the chosen protein (Italian sausage, chicken, or shrimp) over medium heat until browned and cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes for sausage or chicken, and 3-4 minutes for shrimp.
Combining Ingredients
- 6
Combine Pasta, Sauce, and Protein
Add the cooked penne pasta to the vodka sauce, then stir in the cooked protein. Mix well to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated with the sauce.
- 7
Serve
Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese before serving. Enjoy your Penne Ala Vodka!
