Penne alla Vodka

This Penne alla Vodka recipe is such a special & delicious dish! It’s a true family favourite and one you’ll LOVE because it’s surprisingly easy to cook. Therefore, it requires no long simmering. It’s a crowd-pleaser for special occasions or it can easily be a weeknight meal. Also, this versatile Penne alla Vodka recipe can use many different proteins like chicken, shrimp, bacon, prosciutto, pancetta or peas in the sauce or you can add a protein on the side.

Remember to get all your ingredients ready before you start cooking!

What is Penne alla Vodka?

Penne alla Vodka is a popular pasta dish made using vodka and penne pasta with pureed tomatoes, heavy cream, onions and sometimes a protein like chicken, bacon or peas. Using the best quality ingredients is recommended for this recipe! This means the best tomatoes (San Marsano is a popular classic choice) or other crushed variety you like. Parmigiano Reggiano and heavy cream add to this dish by giving a full-fat, creamy taste to the sauce. Fresh herbs level up the flavours with basil, Italian parsley or oregano. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended as opposed to other oils.

Full fat cream allows it to withstand the heating and not separate! Plus creates a beautiful rosé colour with creaminess.

What to serve with Penne alla Vodka?

In honour of creating a nutritionally balanced meal, we want to hit protein, carbs and lots of veggies every time. Our veggie portion is ideally two handfuls per meal. I love adding a side salad (like this Orange Parsley & Sunflower Salad) or a side of veggies like – our Lemon Roasted broccolini). Similarly, you have the option of adding protein to your pasta sauce or serving it on the side. Finally, to balance your meal, carbs are already included with the use of pasta, but for a higher fibre option, you can choose whole wheat pasta.

A must-make Italian Dietitian Recipe. Penne Alla Vodka! Share on X

What is a Vodka Substitute?

Honestly, in my opinion, there’s no great substitute for vodka in this recipe! Furthermore, since a lot of the alcohol is cooked off, you aren’t left with an alcoholic vodka taste, but the vodka just boosts and intensifies the flavors of the tomatoes. According to RecipeTips.com, you can substitute vodka in cooking for white grape juice or apple cider combined with lime juice or use plain water in place of the vodka. However, I don’t recommend substituting the vodka because the recipe is perfect with it!

My preference is a pureed sauce for the onions, garlic and tomato!

Andrea’s Pasta Cooking Tips:

• Firstly, generously add Kosher salt to the pasta water for flavouring the pasta. (Rule: 1 pound of pasta = 1 tbsp salt)
• Cook until al dente or firm to the bite. (Take off the heat 2 minutes early if adding to sauce where it’ll cook).
• Ideally, finish cooking the pasta for last two minutes in the sauce.
• Finally, be sure to reserve some of the starchy pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce as needed.

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Penne alla Vodka Recipes

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 box Penne Rigate (450g)
• Extra Virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes, pinch
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) vodka
• 1 can (796 mL) Puréed plum tomatoes (or blend later)
• 1/2 cup 35% cream
• Kosher salt & pepper to taste

Garnish: Fresh Basil or Italian Parsley & Parmigiano Reggiano

Penne alla Vodka Directions:

1. First, heat olive oil in saucepan on medium heat.
2. Then, add onion and cook until softened and fragrant.
3. Toss in garlic & red pepper flakes and stir to combine.
4. Next, pour in vodka to deglaze pan and stir. Simmer for about 2 minutes.
5. Mix in pureed tomatoes and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Finally, add cream and cook for 2 -3 minutes.
7. Season with Kosher salt and pepper to taste.
8. Add cooked firm or ‘al dente’ pasta to sauce to heat with sauce!
9. And last but not least, garnish with parsley or basil, add Parmigiano & enjoy!

Penne alla Vodka

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

This Penna alla Vodka recipe is a crowd-pleaser! Perfect for entertaining or even a weeknight family meal.

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Ingredients

• 1 box Penne Rigate (450g)
• Extra Virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes, pinch
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) vodka
• 1 can (796 mL) Puréed plum tomatoes
• 1/2 cup 35% cream
• Kosher salt & pepper to taste
• Garnish: Fresh Basil or Italian Parsley & Parmigiano Reggiano

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in sauce pan on medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until softened and fragrant.
3. Add garlic & red pepper flakes.
4. Pour in vodka to deglaze pan and stir. Simmer for about 2 minutes.
5. Mix in purred tomatoes and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Finally, add cream and cook for 2-3 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Add cooked firm or ‘al dente’ pasta to sauce to heat with sauce!
9. Garnish with parsley or basil, add Parmigiano & enjoy!