Vodka Pasta, or penne alla vodka, is a rich, creamy, tomato-based pasta dish. It's incredibly easy to make at home in about 20 minutes.
Looking for more easy pasta recipes? Try my Homemade Bolognese or Carbonara next!
About This Recipe
I always thought vodka pasta was a classic Italian dish, but apparently, its origins may actually be American, although it's quite disputed! For now, most people consider it an Italian-American dish. One of the most popular theories is that it was invented by an Italian chef in NYC who worked for a vodka company.
Regardless of where it came from, it has cemented itself as one of the most popular pasta recipes out there. It was actually one of the first pasta recipes I ever learned to make. The magic is in its creamy, tomato-based sauce.
The standout ingredient, of course, is vodka. It might sound a little strange, and I doubt the original creator even fully realized the impact it would have, but vodka actually serves an important purpose. It helps marry the flavors of the tomato and cream while also intensifying them. It's hard to describe exactly, but some people compare it to turning up a dial that makes everything taste a little more vibrant. Vodka also unlocks flavor compounds in the tomatoes that wouldn't be unlocked without it.
And it's dead easy to make at home! All you need are some pantry staples, which we'll discuss below, and about 20 minutes.
Key Ingredients
Penne pasta: Of course, this is usually made with penne, but really, you can use any pasta shape you like.
Olive oil: For pasta dishes, I love using olive oil for the flavor it adds.
Onions & garlic: For savory depth.
Tomato paste: All you need is a tin of tomato paste- no fresh tomatoes required. A typical tin of tomato paste contains around 6-8 tomatoes, and all that flavor is going into our sauce.
Vodka: You can use whatever plain vodka you have at home. Just avoid using flavored vodka, unless you want your pasta tasting like peach lemonade.
Cream: This is where the richness comes. You want to use heavy cream (aka whipping cream), which has the highest fat content and will give the creamiest texture.
Seasonings: Just salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a bit of saltiness and complexity to the dish.
Instructions
STEP 1: Boil the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ยฝ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
STEP 2: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
STEP 3: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the vodka and boil for 1-2 minutes until evaporated.
STEP 4: Add the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble for a few minutes until thickened.
STEP 5: Stir in the cooked pasta and serve with grated parmesan cheese on top. If the pasta is too thick, stir in a little bit of the reserved pasta water. Enjoy!
๐ Recipe
Vodka Pasta (Penne alla Vodka)
Ingredients
- 10 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (6-ounce) tin tomato paste
- ยผ cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ยฝ teaspoon each of salt and black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- grated parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ยฝ cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the vodka and boil for 1-2 minutes until evaporated.
- Add the heavy cream, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble for a few minutes until thickened.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and serve with grated parmesan cheese on top. If the pasta is too thick, stir in a little bit of the reserved pasta water. Enjoy!
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