This Italian-American recipe combines penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce infused with vodka, onions, garlic, and sometimes pancetta or prosciutto.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340g) penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce and vodka, and stir well to combine. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream to the sauce. Stir until the cream is fully incorporated.
6. Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
7. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and gently stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Cook the pasta for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese has melted and the sauce has thickened slightly.
9. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
10. Serve the Penne alla Vodka while it's still warm, and enjoy!
This recipe yields approximately 4 servings. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on your preferences.