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This Penne alla Vodka recipe is the perfect blend of tomato, heavy cream, garlic, and onions simmered together to make a unique, pink sauce.

It’s Wednesday!! Yay! Halfway through the week.  Just two more days until the weekend. I’m already making my list of recipes for next week.

I tend to get a little over ambitious and try to cook too many things. However, some sort of pasta dish is always on this menu.

For example, some nights we make our slow cooker creamy chicken pasta.

I invite you to give this penne alla vodka recipe a try to see just how simple it is to prepare this delicious pasta dish.

How to Make Penne alla Vodka:

First, gather all the ingredients needed and prep them in bowls or cups. Go ahead and chop the garlic and onions.

Next, cook your pasta noodles, per the box instructions but keep about a 1/2 cup of pasta water to use in the vodka sauce if it’s too thick.

Starting the Vodka Sauce:

Now, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil together in a large saucepan. Then, add the garlic, onions, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.

Cook everything over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes. Afterward, add 1 cup of vodka.  

If you are working with an open flame, turn off the flame before pouring the vodka.

Finishing the Pasta Sauce:

Please note, it’s important to let the alcohol cook out of the vodka before adding other ingredients. Otherwise, your sauce will taste boozy.

That boozy taste is great in a vodka cranberry cocktail, but it’s not so tasty in penne alla vodka.

Then, let the vodka sauce cook for about 15 minutes and then add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper.

After the tomato sauce has cooked for an additional 5 minutes, remove it from the heat for 7-10 minutes to cool.

It’s time to add the heavy cream. Be sure your sauce isn’t too hot or the sauce will break!

Final Touches on the Sauce:

Now, go ahead and simmer the sauce over low heat for 4-5 minutes. Don’t let it boil or the cream will break.

Last, add the noodles to the sauce and toss them to coat everything evenly.

If the sauce is too thick, use some of the reserved pasta water to thin it out. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips for the Best Penne alla Vodka:

• Please go easy on the vodka and be sure to give it time to cook down.
• Feel free to use gluten-free noodles.
• You can use a jarred sauce then add vodka and cream for similar results.
• Add cooked chicken or pancetta to create hearty penne alla vodka recipe.

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