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Ingredients
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Pasta
Sauce
Method
Pasta Preparation
- 1
Boil Water
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, drain the pasta and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Sauce Preparation
- 4
Heat Olive Oil
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- 5
Sauté Garlic
Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 6
Add Vodka
Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for about 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- 7
Add Tomatoes
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes.
- 8
Add Cream
Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, stirring until the sauce is well combined and creamy.
- 9
Season Sauce
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 10
Add Cheese and Basil
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil, mixing well until the cheese is melted.
Combine
- 11
Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly.
- 12
Adjust Sauce Consistency
If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- 13
Serve
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
