Penne alla Vodka is one of my favorite pasta dishes and where I live there is not a restaurant that does this pasta any justice, so I made my own. Typically I do not like to brag on myself but we really do feel like this is better than the pasta we order when we go out.
There are a few things I contribute to a good sauce. I believe the brand of sauce makes a difference, we use “red gold”, in the north it is called “red pack” but they are the same sauce just a different name depending on where you live. Also, if you add water to thin out your pasta, use bottled or filtered water.
We like to grate our own cheese but you can use pre-grated. I do however recommend buying a block it really does make a difference.
Since there are only two of us, we made this sauce recipe but cooked only a 1/2 pound of pasta and then the next night we reheated the sauce and cooked the other half of pasta.
Enjoy!
Penne Alla Vodka
Ingredients:
- 2 15 oz cans or 1 28oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 lb penne
- fresh minced garlic (about 10 cloves, we like a lot of garlic)
- A little water (to thin sauce if desired)
- salt to taste
- pinch of sugar
- 1 1/2 tbs Italian seasoning
- Even though it is already in Italian seasoning I added extra basil, oregano, and garlic; to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- red pepper flakes to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (we chose to grate our own cheese)
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Directions:
- Grate your parmesan cheese (if needed).
- Mince garlic.
- Pour about 2 tbs of olive oil into your saucepan. Saute the garlic until light brown.
- On medium heat, add the tomato sauce. Combine.
- Add all of your seasonings to taste and mix well.
- Add as much water as you would like to acquire desired thinness. *remember that the olive oil will also thin out the sauce
- Bring to a boil and reduce the temperature to low.
- Let simmer, stirring frequently. After the first 10 minutes, taste and add any extra spices that you want. Continue to simmer for at least another 20 minutes.
- When there are 10 minutes left, start the water for the penne. Don’t forget to salt the water!
- Once boiling add the penne. Cook according to package directions.
- When the sauce is ready, transfer to a high rimmed saute pan that is at least 10-inches and add the vodka. Mix together and simmer for about another 10 minutes allowing the alcohol to cookout.
- Add the parmesan cheese and cream. Mix until thoroughly combined allowing all of the ingredients to meld together.
- Add the penne to the saute pan and coat evenly.
- Add fresh parsley (optional)
- Enjoy!
Tagged: dinner, Pasta, penne, penne alla vodka, sauce, vodka sauce
