Penne alla Vodka
A rich, creamy Penne alla Vodka that's surprisingly easy to make at home. Tomato paste, garlic, shallots, vodka, cream, and Parmesan come together to create a silky sauce that coats every bite of pasta. Add shrimp, chicken, or your favorite protein to make it a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 160 g penne pasta
- 1/4 cup 56 g tomato paste
- 1 –2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 shallot finely diced
- 1 tbsp vodka
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or 1/4 cup heavy cream + 1/4 cup milk for a lighter sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Cooked shrimp chicken, or your preferred protein
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring often, until it darkens slightly and becomes caramelized.
- Pour in the vodka and stir for about 1 minute, allowing the alcohol to cook off.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream (or cream and milk mixture) until smooth.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Fold in your cooked shrimp or preferred protein, if using, and heat through.
- Finish with fresh basil, parsley, and extra Parmesan before serving.
Cooking the tomato paste before adding the liquid develops a deeper, richer flavor. Reserve pasta water, it helps create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta. The cream-and-milk combination creates a lighter version without sacrificing creaminess. For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.