Description
Indulgent Creamy Vodka Pasta brings Italian-inspired comfort straight to your kitchen with rich, silky sauce and perfectly al dente noodles. Sophisticated yet simple, this dish promises restaurant-quality flavor that will elevate your weeknight dinner experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 can (14 ounces or 400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Aromatic Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vodka
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil penne in salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté finely diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and aromatic, about 3-4 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan by pouring vodka, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes, which helps eliminate the harsh alcohol flavor.
- Introduce crushed tomatoes and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the skillet. Reduce heat and let the mixture gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, around 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the creamy tomato sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust texture if the mixture seems too thick.
- Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
- Finish the dish by scattering torn fresh basil leaves on top for a vibrant, aromatic garnish before serving immediately.
Notes
- Boost vodka sauce’s depth by using high-quality vodka with clean, neutral flavor profiles.
- Prevent sauce separation by adding cream gradually and maintaining low, steady heat during incorporation.
- Consider dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or cashew cream for lactose-intolerant individuals, ensuring similar rich texture.
- Enhance pasta’s flavor complexity by toasting red pepper flakes briefly in olive oil before adding other ingredients, releasing more intense aromatic compounds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 478 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg