This penne pasta dish seduces the palate with its silky blend of aromatic onions, garlic, and subtle heat. Cream, vibrant tomatoes, and a splash of vodka create a luscious, comforting sauce that mingles beautifully with al dente pasta. Finished with Parmesan and fresh herbs, every bite is an indulgent, memorable experience.

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I love making my Creamy Vodka Pasta Perfection recipe in a pan because it delivers a real punch of flavor along with some cool nutritional benefits. I start by boiling 12 oz of penne pasta to an al dente finish to offer lasting energy.

In a separate pan, I heat 2 tbsp of olive oil and add a small yellow onion, finely chopped, and 3 cloves of garlic, minced, which provide antioxidants and flavor depth. I then add 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes for a gentle heat before pouring in 1/2 cup vodka.

The vodka mixes with 1 cup crushed tomatoes, which supply vitamins and a nice tang, and later 1 cup heavy cream for a smooth texture and some healthy fats. I season the dish with salt and black pepper and finish it off with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, adding extra calcium.

This penne alla vodka is a yummy comfort food that feels like food therapy.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it gives me a really unique mix of flavors. The vodka in the sauce brings a tangy kick that complements the creamy texture of the heavy cream and the sweetness of crushed tomatoes so well.

Also I like that its pretty simple to make even though it tastes fancy. When im cooking it i feel like a chef even though the ingredients are stuff I always have in my kitchen which makes it extra fun to try.

The little heat from the red pepper flakes adds just the right amount of spice without overpowering the flavors so that balance is really satisfying to me.

Lastly it feels really comforting and perfect for any day, it’s like a warm bowl of deliciousness that i can tweak a bit every time i make it by adding a splash of pasta water or a dash of more Parmesan.

Ingredients

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Penne pasta gives energy with hearty carbs making a perfect base.
Olive oil is healthy fat that enriches sauce flavors wonderfully.
Yellow onion adds natural sweetness, vitamins, and a slight crunch.
Garlic boosts overall flavor with it’s rich aroma and nutrients.
Vodka adds subtle heat and acidity that melds all flavors.
Heavy cream delivers silky richness balancing the spices and tang perfectly.
Crushed tomatoes offer tangy sweetness along with a vitamin C boost.
Ingredient Quantities
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make this

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1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 12 oz penne pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Save a little bit of pasta water and then drain the pasta.

2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped small yellow onion and cook until its soft and translucent.

3. Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir it all for about a minute until it smells good.

4. Pour in the 1/2 cup vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the alcohol can cook off a bit.

5. Stir in the 1 cup crushed tomatoes and let it come to a gentle simmer.

6. Slowly stir in the 1 cup heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes. It should thicken up slightly.

7. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste and then add the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything together so the pasta is well coated.

8. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to get the right consistency.

9. Mix in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and blends into the sauce.

10. Finally, serve the pasta hot, and if you want, garnish with some fresh basil or parsley. Enjoy your Creamy Vodka Pasta Perfection!

Equipment Needed

1. Big pot – to boil water and cook the pasta until it’s al dente.
2. Colander – for draining the pasta after cooking.
3. Large pan – to heat the oil and let the sauce cook nicely.
4. Cutting board – for chopping the small yellow onion and garlic.
5. Sharp knife – to finely chop and mince your ingredients.
6. Measuring cups – needed for the vodka, crushed tomatoes, and heavy cream.
7. Measuring spoons – to gauge out the olive oil, red pepper flakes, and even salt and pepper if you want to be exact.
8. Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring the sauce and mixing in the pasta water if needed.
9. Ladle – handy for scooping up some of that reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.

FAQ

A: Yeah, you can try using gin or even a splash of white wine if you don't got vodka handy, but it might change up the flavor a bit.

A: Cook the penne for about 9-11 minutes in salted boiling water until it's al dente, then drain it well.

A: For sure, if you like it spicier, add a pinch more red pepper flakes, or if you're not a fan of heat, use less or skip them.

A: You can use half-and-half or whole milk but be warned, the sauce might not be as thick and creamy.

A: I recommend tasting your sauce before adding extra salt; the Parmesan adds a salty kick, so adjust accordingly.

Creamy Vodka Pasta Perfection Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- You can swap the penne pasta with rigatoni or fusilli if you want a different texture in your dish.
- If you dont have heavy cream on hand, try mixing half cream with half milk and adding a little melted butter to get that rich consistency.
- Instead of vodka, a splash of white wine can work wonders, giving you a similar depth without the strong alcohol taste.
- For Parmesan cheese, Asiago or Pecorino Romano make great alternatives if you can’t find the real deal.
- If red pepper flakes are missing from your pantry, a pinch of cayenne pepper or a fresh chopped chili can be a cool substitute.
Pro Tips

1. Try to use a bit of your pasta water when mixing in the sauce if it seems too thick, it helps the sauce stick to the pasta better and makes it a bit creamier
2. Don’t rush the vodka step. Letting it simmer a little while longer helps remove some of the harshness of the alcohol and really brings out the tomato flavor
3. When you’re cooking the onions and garlic, make sure they dont burn. Burned garlic can make the whole dish taste bitter
4. Using good quality Parmesan and fresh herbs like basil or parsley can make a huge difference in the flavour, so if you can get fresh ones, go for it!
Creamy Vodka Pasta Perfection Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead
0.0 from 0 votes
This penne pasta dish seduces the palate with its silky blend of aromatic onions, garlic, and subtle heat. Cream, vibrant tomatoes, and a splash of vodka create a luscious, comforting sauce that mingles beautifully with al dente pasta. Finished with Parmesan and fresh herbs, every bite is an indulgent, memorable experience.

Pin
Servings

4

servings

Calories

705

kcal

Equipment: 1. Big pot – to boil water and cook the pasta until it’s al dente.
2. Colander – for draining the pasta after cooking.
3. Large pan – to heat the oil and let the sauce cook nicely.
4. Cutting board – for chopping the small yellow onion and garlic.
5. Sharp knife – to finely chop and mince your ingredients.
6. Measuring cups – needed for the vodka, crushed tomatoes, and heavy cream.
7. Measuring spoons – to gauge out the olive oil, red pepper flakes, and even salt and pepper if you want to be exact.
8. Wooden spoon or spatula – for stirring the sauce and mixing in the pasta water if needed.
9. Ladle – handy for scooping up some of that reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 12 oz penne pasta until al dente, following the package instructions. Save a little bit of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped small yellow onion and cook until its soft and translucent.
- Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the pan. Stir it all for about a minute until it smells good.
- Pour in the 1/2 cup vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the alcohol can cook off a bit.
- Stir in the 1 cup crushed tomatoes and let it come to a gentle simmer.
- Slowly stir in the 1 cup heavy cream and allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes. It should thicken up slightly.
- Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste and then add the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything together so the pasta is well coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to get the right consistency.
- Mix in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts and blends into the sauce.
- Finally, serve the pasta hot, and if you want, garnish with some fresh basil or parsley. Enjoy your Creamy Vodka Pasta Perfection!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 350g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 705kcal
- Fat: 32.5g
- Saturated Fat: 16.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 10.5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 300mg
- Potassium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 17g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 6mg
- Calcium: 150mg
- Iron: 2mg
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