Creamy Restaurant-Style Penne alla Vodka
This easy penne alla vodka is rich, creamy, and ready in just 20 minutes. A restaurant-style pasta dinner made with simple pantry staples.
Penne alla vodka was never something I ordered when eating out. For me, it was always Fettuccine Alfredo and nothing else. At home, pasta usually meant macaroni and cheese or baked ziti, so penne a la vodka simply wasn’t on my radar. Then, after I had my baby, a friend sent over dinner… and included this pasta. I can honestly tell you I practically licked the pan clean.
I always assumed penne alla vodka would be too “tomatoey”, and honestly, I couldn’t understand why anyone would add vodka to pasta sauce in the first place. Wow, was I wrong. The vodka doesn’t make the sauce taste alcoholic at all; it simply adds a rich depth of flavor that makes the sauce incredibly delicious. This version is creamy, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make. And if you don’t have vodka on hand, don’t let that stop you. Make it anyway! It’ll still be absolutely delicious.
Creamy Restaurant-Style Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 (1-lb) box penne pasta , cooked and drained according to package instructions
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- ¼ cup vodka
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 16 oz. heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- In a pot, heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the onions and garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the vodka (don’t be afraid of the sizzle!!). Let it cook down for a minute or two.
- Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 7-10 minutes until thickened. Toss with the pasta. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recipe by Faigy Murray | https://mykitchenmystudio.com/creamy-restaurant-style-penne-alla-vodka/
