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Delicious creamy tomato penne pasta with vodka, topped with herbs and spices.

Easy Vodka Pasta — Creamy Tomato Penne

A creamy, tangy pasta dish that's quick and forgiving, making it perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz Penne pasta Classic choice, rigatoni works too.
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing.
  • 1 tbsp Butter Optional, but enhances flavor.
  • 2-4 cloves Garlic, minced Adjust based on preference.
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste For rich tomato flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Vodka Basic bottle is fine; helps round out flavors.
  • 1 can Crushed tomatoes or tomato puree (15 oz) Base of the sauce.
  • 1 cup Heavy cream For creaminess; half and half can work in a pinch.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Freshly grated is preferred.
  • to taste Salt For seasoning.
  • to taste Black pepper For seasoning.
  • to taste Chili flakes Optional for heat.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook penne until just barely al dente. Save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a large pan, warm olive oil and butter over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and a pinch of chili flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the tomato paste. Stir and cook it for 1 to 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
  4. Pour in vodka and stir, scraping any bits from the pan. Let it simmer for about 1 minute.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes or tomato puree, then simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Keep it gentle to maintain smoothness.
Combining
  1. Add drained pasta and a splash of pasta water to the sauce. Toss until glossy and coated.
  2. Finish with grated Parmesan, and taste to adjust seasoning.

Notes

Do not rush the tossing step; give it a full minute of stirring so the sauce turns silky. For variations, consider adding fresh basil or crispy pancetta.