Okay, so listen up! If there’s one pasta dish that just screams “cozy comfort” but still feels a little fancy, it’s gotta be Creamy Penne alla Vodka. Seriously, this stuff is pure magic in a bowl. I remember the first time I had it – at a little Italian place down the street from my first apartment. It was a chilly night, and that rich, smooth sauce just warmed me right up. I was hooked!
Since then, I’ve made it my mission to nail this Creamy Penne alla Vodka at home. And let me tell you, it’s way easier than you might think! This recipe? It’s my go-to now. It turns basic ingredients into something seriously delicious in hardly any time at all. Trust me, you don’t need to be a gourmet chef to pull this off. I’ve made this countless times, for friends, family, and just for myself when I need a little culinary hug.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Okay, so why is *this* Creamy Penne alla Vodka recipe going to be your new favorite? Because it’s just so darn good and so simple!
- It comes together super fast – seriously, you can have dinner on the table in about 40 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
- The flavor is out of this world. That creamy, tangy tomato sauce with just a hint of heat? Insanely comforting.
- You probably have most of the ingredients already chilling in your pantry. No fancy shopping trip needed!
- It feels like a special meal, but it’s totally approachable for any home cook. You got this!
Ingredients for Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You need simple stuff for this Creamy Penne alla Vodka, which is part of its charm. Here’s your shopping list:
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or a little more if you’re a garlic fiend like me!)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (dial this up or down based on how much heat you like!)
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vodka (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off!)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for that pretty and tasty garnish
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Okay, a few quick notes and ideas for your Creamy Penne alla Vodka! If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, a can of diced tomatoes works totally fine – you’ll just have a slightly chunkier sauce. Want it less rich? You can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half, but honestly, the heavy cream is where that amazing creaminess comes from! As for those red pepper flakes, start with 1/2 teaspoon, taste it, and add more if you’re feeling spicy!
Equipment Needed for Creamy Penne alla Vodka
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this Creamy Penne alla Vodka, just a few basics you probably already have. You’ll definitely need a nice big pot for boiling that pasta – gotta give the penne room to swim! And then, the star of the show for the sauce is a large skillet or a good-sized pan. That’s where all the magic happens! A wooden spoon or spatula for stirring is helpful too.
How to Make Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Alright, let’s get cooking! Making this Creamy Penne alla Vodka is really straightforward, just follow these steps and you’ll be in pasta heaven in no time. Don’t stress, it’s totally doable!
- First things first, get your pasta water boiling. Grab that big pot and fill it up. Add a good pinch of salt – gotta season the water! Once it’s bubbling away, toss in your pound of penne. Cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente. That means cooked through but still with a little bite to it. Nobody likes mushy pasta! When it’s done, drain it but save about a cup of that starchy pasta water just in case – it can work wonders for the sauce later. Set that drained pasta aside.
- While the pasta is doing its thing, let’s start the sauce. Heat that 1/4 cup of olive oil in your large skillet over medium heat. Get it nice and warm, but not smoking.
- Add your chopped onion to the hot oil. Stir it around and let it cook until it’s softened and looks a little translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes. You want to get some flavor out of those onions!
- Now, add the minced garlic and those red pepper flakes. Give it another stir and cook for just about a minute more. Be careful here, garlic can burn quickly, and burned garlic is no fun! You just want to get it fragrant.
- Time for the tomatoes! Pour in the whole can of crushed tomatoes. Stir everything together and bring it up to a gentle simmer.
- Here comes the vodka! Carefully pour in the 1/2 cup of vodka. Stir it in and let it simmer away, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes. This is important – you’re cooking off the alcohol here, leaving behind that subtle flavor that makes vodka sauce, well, vodka sauce! You’ll know it’s ready when you can’t really smell the harsh alcohol anymore.
- Reduce the heat to low. Now, pour in the heavy cream and stir it until it’s fully combined and the sauce looks beautifully pink and creamy. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese next. Keep stirring gently until the cheese has melted into the sauce and it’s smooth.
- Taste the sauce! This is where you season it up. Add salt and black pepper to your liking. Remember, you seasoned the pasta water, so the pasta already has some salt, but the sauce definitely needs it too.
- Finally, add the cooked penne pasta right into the sauce. Toss it gently with tongs or a spoon until every single piece of pasta is coated in that glorious creamy sauce. If the sauce seems a little thick, you can add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve it up right away! Garnish with some fresh basil leaves – they add such a lovely fresh pop of flavor. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Want the absolute best Creamy Penne alla Vodka? Here are a couple of little tricks! Don’t overcook your pasta – stick to al dente so it holds up in the sauce. Make sure you let that vodka simmer for the full time to cook off the alcohol properly. And please, please, please use good quality crushed tomatoes; it really does make a difference in the sauce flavor!
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Okay, so you’ve made this amazing Creamy Penne alla Vodka, now what do you serve with it? Honestly, it’s so good it can totally stand on its own! But if you want to round things out, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect to cut through the richness. And don’t forget more Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for garnishing – it adds that extra touch of deliciousness!
Storing and Reheating Creamy Penne alla Vodka
Got leftovers of your delicious Creamy Penne alla Vodka? Lucky you! Let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll be good for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the best way is gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk or even water to bring that creamy texture back to life. Microwaving works too, but can sometimes make the sauce a little less smooth.
Creamy Penne alla Vodka FAQ
Got questions about your Creamy Penne alla Vodka? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I make the Creamy Penne alla Vodka sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes, you totally can! Make the sauce up to the point before adding the cream and cheese. Let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days. When you’re ready to use it, heat it gently, then stir in the cream and Parmesan, and finally add your freshly cooked penne. Easy peasy!
Q: What kind of vodka should I use for Creamy Penne alla Vodka?
A: You don’t need anything super fancy here! Any standard, decent quality vodka you’d drink (or have on hand!) will work just fine for your Creamy Penne alla Vodka. The flavor is pretty subtle once it cooks down.
Q: Can I add protein to Creamy Penne alla Vodka?
A: Absolutely! This Creamy Penne alla Vodka is fantastic with some cooked chicken, shrimp, or even Italian sausage added in. Just cook your protein separately and stir it into the sauce with the pasta. Makes it a heartier meal!
Q: My sauce broke/looks oily! What happened?
A: Oh no! That usually happens if the heat is too high when you add the cream or cheese, or if you boil the sauce too vigorously after adding them. Keep the heat low and stir gently when adding the dairy for smooth Creamy Penne alla Vodka sauce.
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up that the nutritional info provided here is an estimate! It can totally change depending on the exact brands and ingredients you use for your Creamy Penne alla Vodka. Think of it as a helpful guide, not a strict rule!
Your Creamy Penne alla Vodka Experience
So, there you have it! My go-to recipe for amazing Creamy Penne alla Vodka. I really hope you give it a try! If you make it, I’d absolutely LOVE to hear how it turned out for you. Did you add extra red pepper flakes? Try adding chicken? Let me know in the comments below! And hey, if you loved it, feel free to leave a rating too!
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Amazing Creamy Penne alla Vodka in 40 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and creamy penne pasta dish with a smooth vodka sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook penne according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute more.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer.
- Add vodka and cook, stirring occasionally, until the alcohol has cooked off, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked penne to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
- You can substitute canned diced tomatoes for crushed tomatoes.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference.
- For a richer sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: penne, vodka sauce, pasta, creamy, Italian