Penne Pasta Vodka Sauce

Yummy penne alla vodka - pasta tossed in a quick and easy tomato, cream and vodka based sauce that is so delicious and simple.

I have a huge list of things that I am missing in this lockdown/ quarantine times of corona, which includes, getting out of the house, going to work, shopping, meeting my friends, but what tops my list, is eating out! How has it been more than 3 weeks that I haven't eaten in a restaurant. 

Almost getting a little tired of all the home cooked meals that seemed so exciting when this quarantine began but now really craving for some real restaurant food. Things I am waiting to try include my favourite dimsums at yum yum cha and a delicious serving of penne alla vodka at big chill to check if I nailed their recipe or not. 

The code to the signature penne pasta in vodka sauce at the big chill cafe is finally cracked you guys! Honestly, I am a lover of adding wine to my pasta recipes, but how come I never added vodka???? Specially when I knew it would give me such a thick, creamy, velvety, sinful tomato, garlic sauce perfect to mix my pasta in.

A generous serving of this boozy vegetarian penne vodka, plus a serving of homemade garlic breadsticks, probably a fresh arugula salad on the side, followed by tiramisu or a no fuss 4 ingredient chocolate tart is all we need right now!

How to make penne alla vodka (penne pasta in vodka sauce)

Things you need:

• pasta - use whatever you like. I had a lot of penne to test and retest this recipe, therefore used it. You can obv use spaghetti or fusilli or really any pasta of your choice
• tomatoes - fresh tomatoes that make the base of this sauce, pureed in a blender 

• oregano, chilli flakes (dried)
• salt, pepper
• cream - just regular thick cream added to the tomato sauce to make things extra velvety, rich and luscious
• vodka - for the booziness 
• pasta water - literally golden secret to any pasta recipe - always reserve pasta water when you boil your pasta and then add the starchy liquid to the sauce

How to make creamy tomato pasta vodka sauce?

Start by blending the tomatoes and adding them to a pan with oil and garlic. Add oregano, salt, pepper, chilli flakes.

Cook until the tomatoes have completely reduced and you have yummy tomato paste formed. Let the mixture cool for 10-15 mins.

Blend the cooled mixture and add pasta & pasta water. Cook for a few mins and add cream and vodka. Finally add parmesan and serve.

Possible variations

• make this recipe vegan by replacing cream with coconut milk
• add grilled broccoli
• or oven roasted veggies
• grilled corn
• or with some sautéed mushrooms 

More pasta recipes:

• quick and easy tomato garlic pasta
• cherry tomato and garlic pasta
• creamy spinach and mushroom pasta
• balsamic mushroom pasta
• pesto pasta salad
• caramelized onion and blue cheese pasta
• lemon feta spaghetti (aglio o lio with a twist!)
• date night creamy tomato basil pasta

Penne Pasta Vodka Sauce

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Sheenam
• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 30
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 persons 1x
• Category: Mains
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Yummy penne alla vodka - pasta tossed in a quick and easy tomato, cream and vodka based sauce that is so delicious and simple.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups Penne Pasta
• 1 cup Tomatoes; 200 grams 
• 2 small cloves garlic 
• 1 tsp dried Oregano
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• salt
• pepper
• 1/4 cup Vodka
• 1/4 cup Cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Boil the pasta and reserve 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water before draining. *note 1
2. Cut the tomatoes 1 by 4 and add them to a blender. Puree until a smooth tomato paste is formed.
3. In a pan, add olive oil and sliced garlic. Cook on low flame for a few seconds until garlic is fragrant.
4. Add the pureed tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, chilli flakes. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 minutes until the tomato mixture has reduced. Let cool for 10 minutes.
5. Transfer to the blender and mix until smooth.
6. Transfer the tomato mixture back to the pan and add pasta, reserved 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water and cook on medium flame for 1-2 minutes.
7. Reduce the flame to low and add cream and vodka. Mix well and cook on low flame for 1 minute mixing everything together until well combined and the pasta is well coated with the creamy tomato vodka sauce. Turn off the flame.
8. Add parmesan cheese and mix well. 
9. Transfer to serving bowls and serve.

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Notes

1. Boil 3 cups of pasta with 5 cups of water and let the pasta cook al dente. Right before straining the pasta, reserve the starchy pasta water and use it for the pasta sauce. 

Keywords: pasta, vegetarian, tomato, cream, mains

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