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Penne Alla Vodka

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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.

Two bowls of penne alla vodka with a white linen.

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.

Top-down shot of the butter, Parmesan, tomato sauce and other pasta ingredients in bowls used for penne alla vodka.

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.

The butter, oil, garlic, onions, and vodka all cooking in large sauce pan.

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.

Top down view of tomato sauce in a sauce pan being used for penne all vodka.

  • 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!

The heavy cream has been added to the vodka sauce as it simmers.

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.

The finished pasta recipe in the sauce pan, ready to be plated and garnished.

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.

Penne alla vodka in white bowls and topped with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.

Do you love pasta dishes as much as we do?  Then you may like our Cajun Fettuccine Alfredo, Smoky Chipotle Chicken Pasta, or Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta.

If you like this penne alla vodka recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe card. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram searching for Berly’s Kitchen!

Two bowls of penne alla vodka with a white linen.
Print
Penne Alla Vodka
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

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

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Penne alla Vodka
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 493 kcal
Author: Kimberly
Ingredients
  • 12 - 16 ounces of penne noodles cooked
  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup of vodka
  • 1 15 ounce can of tomato sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Grated parmesan for serving
Instructions
  1. Cook noodles according to package directions.
  2. Melt butter and olive oil together in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook until onions are translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
  4. Add the vodka and allow the alcohol to cook out, about 15 minutes.
  5. Add the tomato sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Add heavy cream and stir to combine. Don't allow the sauce to become too hot or cream could break or curdle.
  7. Bring sauce to a simmer again and remove from heat.
  8. Combine sauce with noodles and toss to coat.
  9. Top with grated parmesan and serve immediately.
  10. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients and a 2-ounce serving of cooked pasta. Actual calories may vary.

Nutrition Facts
Penne Alla Vodka
Amount Per Serving
Calories 493 Calories from Fat 306
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 696mg 29%
Potassium 472mg 13%
Total Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 6g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin A 33.3%
Vitamin C 13.7%
Calcium 6.8%
Iron 7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Thank you for commenting! The vodka adds a unique flavor to the sauce. Since all the alcohol cooks out, it’s a tasty dinner the whole family can enjoy 🙂

      Reply

  3. I made a vodka sauce for the first time the other night. I have been looking for other recipes, so that I can get it down. Yours looks great!

    Reply

    • Thank you, Krysten! I hope you get a chance to make this recipe. I will be honest, I am extremely picky when it comes to vodka sauces. I have tried them in a lot of places and so I only like it from a local restaurant and Kim’s recipe. Those are the only two vodka sauces I will eat 🙂

      Reply

  4. Yes please! After all of our beach trips are over, I am coming home and pigging out on this. SO GOOD.

    Reply

    • Thank you, lol! Ah man, I miss going to the beaches. But alas, that is no longer an option for me. Thank you commenting 🙂

      Reply

    • Thank you, Tram-Anh! I verified on the recipe that Kim uses a simple store brand canned tomato sauce. It should be next to the diced or stewed tomatoes at your local grocery store. I hope this information helps 🙂

      Reply

    • Thank you, Rachel! Kim and I try to emphasize that cooking is learned skill and it takes many failures and successes to be a well-rounded cook 🙂

      Reply

  13. Penne alla vodka is my favorite! I’ve never made it at home before but you make it sound so easy. I gotta try it out for our next pasta night!

    Reply

    • Thank you for commenting! I hope you enjoy making it 🙂 Personally, homemade vodka sauce is the only way you can get me to eat it lol!

      Reply

  14. I can NEVER get enough penne alla vodka. It’s one of my fav. dishes and I’m always looking to try new recipes! Can’t wait to give this one a go.

    Reply

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