Creamy Penne alla Vodka

Alright, let's dive into this deliciousness!

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever have one of those days? honestly, sometimes the only thing that can fix it is a big bowl of comfort.

And what's more comforting than penne pasta recipes ? this creamy penne alla vodka is my go-to for a little bit of italian magic on a plate.

It's got this amazing creamy tomato sauce with a little kick. you know? so, yummy!

Brief Overview

Penne alla vodka is like, a hug in a bowl. apparently it's an italian-american creation, which makes sense because it's pure genius.

It's pretty easy, takes under an hour, and feeds like, 4-6 people.

Main Benefits

This creamy pasta dishes recipe is packed with flavour, and tomatoes offer some vitamin c! it's perfect for a weeknight dinner, or anytime you need some serious yummy comfort food.

What makes this recipe special? that little splash of vodka, honestly!

Creamy Penne alla Vodka Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, for garnish
• 1 pound penne pasta
• Salt for pasta water

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
• While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.
• Stir in the vodka and simmer for another 2-3 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate slightly. Be careful when adding the vodka, as it may briefly flame.
• Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2-3 minutes more, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened.
• Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
• Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450-550

Fat:20-25g

Fiber:3-5g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Italian-American

Why Vodka? It's Not What You Think

Okay, so the vodka. people are always a little sus about it. but trust me, it doesn’t make your pasta taste like a cocktail.

Vodka pasta is a secret weapon! it helps bring out the tomato flavour. you know, making it extra delicious.

The Ingredients: Keeping it Real

You don't need fancy ingredients. Just some basics to whip up this Italian Pasta Recipes Easy dish.

• Olive oil.
• Onion.
• Garlic.
• Crushed tomatoes (the good kind!).
• Heavy cream.
• Vodka (obvs!).
• Oregano.
• Red pepper flakes (for a bit of fire!).
• Parmesan.
• Fresh basil.
• Penne pasta.

Seriously, that's it! See why this is one of my favourite pasta dinner recipes and easy penne pasta recipes ?

Cooking is Like, Making Movies

Okay, consider me your digital sous chef, ready to whip up a keyword feast! this creamy penne alla vodka , is really amazing, the godfather vibes, the weeknight ease, is really amazing! i just love those penne alla vodka ! this penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce is going to be amazing and become one of your go-to weeknight pasta dishes .

It makes for quick pasta dinner ideas , that is so easy.

A Little Pasta Secret

Don't forget to save some pasta water! You know that starchy water after you cook pasta? It’s liquid gold! It helps thicken the sauce and makes it extra creamy. Thank me later!

Okay, let's talk about what you'll need to make some seriously good penne pasta recipes . Honestly, the ingredients are simple, but the quality is what makes it sing.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Down to Business

Okay, consider me your digital sous chef, ready to whip up a keyword feast!

Main Ingredients: The Heart of Penne Alla Vodka

Here's what you need for our creamy pasta dishes . Remember, this isn't just food, it's yummy comfort food .

• Penne Pasta: 1 pound (454g). Get good stuff. Rummo, De Cecco, Garofalo...you know? The bronze-die cut kind that holds sauce like a champ. If you can't find that, anything will do!. I use the one that's on sale.
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons (30 ml). Extra virgin. This ain't the time for cheap oil!
• Yellow Onion: 1 small , finely chopped (about ½ cup/75g). Should smell nice and sweet.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced (about 2 tsp/6g). Seriously, mince it fine! Nobody wants a huge chunk of garlic.
• Crushed Tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce) can (794g). Look for San Marzano if you can swing it. They're sweeter.
• Heavy Cream: ½ cup (120ml). Full fat. We're not skimping today!
• Vodka: ¼ cup (60ml). Yeah, you need it. It does something magical. Don't worry, the alcohol cooks out.
• Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon (2g). Fresh is great too, if you have it.
• Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (1g) (optional). If you like a little kick!
• Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup (30g), grated, plus more for serving. Freshly grated is always better.
• Fresh Basil: 2 tablespoons (6g), chopped, for garnish. It makes all the difference!

Did you know that penne alla vodka became a sensation in the 1980s?

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life

This is where you can really make it your own.

• Essential Spice Combo: Oregano, salt, pepper. Don't underestimate the power of good salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Flavor Enhancers: Red pepper flakes for heat. A pinch of sugar if your tomatoes are too acidic.
• Substitutions: Don't have oregano? Italian seasoning will work in a pinch. No vodka? A little bit of white wine can add a similar tang.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need fancy gadgets for easy penne pasta recipes .

• Large Pot: For boiling pasta. Duh.
• Large Skillet/Saucepan: Big enough to hold all that sauce and the pasta.
• Colander: For draining the pasta.
• Alternatives: Don't have a skillet? A deep frying pan will do! No colander? Use a lid to carefully drain the pasta water, but be careful of the steam!

This recipe is all about simple ingredients, treated with a little love. The result? Italian pasta recipes easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company! These quick pasta dinner ideas are awesome!

Let's get cooking.

Alright, let's talk penne pasta recipes . specifically, we're diving into a creamy, dreamy penne alla vodka . seriously, who doesn't love this dish? it's yummy comfort food at its finest! okay, consider me your digital sous chef.

We're making something amazing, fast.

Creamy Penne alla Vodka: A Weeknight Wonder

Honestly, this isn't just another italian pasta recipes easy recipe. it's the recipe. think of it as a warm hug in a bowl.

The sauce is rich, the pasta's perfectly al dente, and it's ready faster than you can say "tony soprano." you know? a total weeknight pasta dishes win! this recipe is not hard at all, it's easy pasta dinner recipes to save time.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place Magic

First things first: let's get organised. this is called "mise en place". chop your onion, mince that garlic. measure out your cream and vodka.

Honestly, having everything ready to go makes cooking so much smoother. save time, reduce stress. nobody wants a panic when trying to make quick pasta dinner ideas .

Step-by-Step to Vodka-licious

1. Cook 1 pound of penne in boiling, salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
2. Sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until softened.
3. Stir in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional). Simmer for 15 minutes .
4. Add ¼ cup vodka and simmer for 2- 3 minutes . Careful, it might flame up a tad!
5. Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and ¼ cup grated Parmesan. Heat through, 2- 3 minutes .
6. Toss pasta with sauce, adding reserved water if needed.
7. Serve with fresh basil and more Parmesan. Mangia!

Pro Tips: From Goodfella to Pasta Master

• Never overcook the pasta. Al dente or bust!
• Don't skimp on good quality tomatoes. They make a HUGE difference.
• Always reserve that pasta water! It's liquid gold for a creamy sauce.

You might ask: what if i don't have vodka? simple, just omit it. it will still be delicious without it.

Enjoy your amazing penne pasta, in a rich penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce .

Okay, let's talk about nailing this penne pasta recipes . you've got your plate of creamy, dreamy vodka pasta . but wait! there's more to this than just shovelling it down (though, honestly, sometimes that's tempting).

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions: Let's Make it Pretty!

Honestly, presentation matters, right? don't just dump it in a bowl. for a restaurant vibe, twirl that easy penne pasta recipes onto the plate.

Garnish with a generous shower of fresh basil and a mountain of parmesan. i like to drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil on top too.

Think simple elegance. serve with some crusty bread. think garlic bread! also, maybe a simple side salad? it all helps cut through the richness.

A crisp italian white or a light-bodied red like a chianti? bellissimo !

Storage Tips: Future You Will Thank You

Leftover penne alla vodka ? lucky you! refrigerate it in an airtight container. it'll happily keep for about 3 days.

Honestly, it tastes even better the next day. the flavours really meld together. you can also freeze it. portion it out into freezer-safe containers.

It'll keep for up to a month. to reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. then, gently heat it on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.

Avoid microwaving, it tends to get a bit gloopy.

Variations: Mix it Up!

Feel like getting creative? want to try different italian pasta recipes easy ? no worries. for a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for crème fraîche or half-and-half.

Add some roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for a vegetarian twist. you could even throw in some cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

Making it dairy free? cashew cream makes a surprisingly great substitute for heavy cream in creamy pasta dishes . boom, dietary adaptation done!

Nutrition Basics: A Little Something to Feel Good About

Let's be real, this yummy comfort food isn't exactly a health food. but it's got some things going for it! the tomatoes are packed with antioxidants.

Parmesan provides calcium and protein. the carbs give you energy. it's all about balance, isn't it? serving sizes are important with these pasta dinner recipes .

You know what they say? a little bit of what you fancy does you good, especially with such quick pasta dinner ideas .

There you have it. you've got your information. the next time you crave comforting food, you know how to make it even better.

Now go forth and make some amazing penne pasta with creamy tomato sauce! . you've got this!