Vodka and Brown Butter Pasta
As if pasta sauce wasn’t good enough all by itself, when it’s spiked with a bit of vodka, it’s even better.
But that’s not all.
When adding brown butter and cream to the mix the sauce gets even better. This meatless pasta dish is rich and tastes wonderful. And the good news is that it’s really easy to make.
My favorite part about this sauce besides everything, is the sautéed onion (in butter). The onion adds such a nice texture to the sauce.
For fun I like to change up the pasta and this time I used mini penne. I have to admit that I have a weakness for buying different types of pasta. Whether it’s the shape, size or color, whenever I see pasta that’s a little different in the grocery store, into the shopping cart it goes.
It’s nice to have a selection of pasta on hand in the pantry so quick meals like this one can be switched up easily by using different pasta each time.
One of the cutest ones is the mini bow tie pasta. The mini sizes are so fun. Ok, so enough about pasta already.
Let’s check out the ingredients.
Mini Penne pasta (or other tube-type pasta such as ziti, regular size penne, mostaccioli would be good too) Vodka, cream (or half and half), tomato puree (or tomato sauce), butter, onion, garlic, pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, dried basil (not pictured) and grated or shredded parmesan cheese.
Here’s how to make it.
In a medium-size sauce pan, add water and salt, and bring it to a boil.
Add the pasta and give it a stir. Let cook until the pasta is al-dente (still firm). Strain and set aside.
Heat a medium-size sauce pan on medium heat, and add butter.
Next, add the onions…
…then the….
…garlic, and stir.
Let cook until the onions start to turn translucent. Remove the onions and garlic from the pan on to a plate or small bowl. Set aside.
Next,
heat the same pan on low to medium heat…
…and add the remaining butter.
Continuously stir as the butter melts.
Keep stirring…
…until the butter starts to turn a golden color.
Then add the onions back to the pan.
Add the tomato puree…
…and stir.
Add the red pepper flakes…
…pepper,
salt, dried basil…
…vodka,
and cream (or half and half). Stir and let simmer for about 10 minutes.
Serve over pasta and top with grated parmesan cheese.
Then…
…enjoy.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Vodka and Brown Butter Pasta
Yield: Serves 2
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup dry mini penne pasta (or your favorite pasta)
4 dashes salt (for the boiling water)
1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing the onion)
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons butter (for brown butter)
2 cups tomato puree (or tomato sauce)
½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or salt to taste)
½ teaspoon dried basil leaves
¾ cup vodka
1 cup half and half (or cream)
2 tablespoons fresh shredded parmesan cheese (or grated)
Directions:
In a medium size sauce pan, add water and salt. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta and stir. Let cook until the pasta is al-dente (still firm). Strain and set aside.
Heat a medium-size sauce pan on medium heat and add butter. As the butter is melting add the onions and garlic, and stir. Let cook until the onions start to turn translucent. Remove the onions and garlic from the pan on to a plate or small bowl. Set aside.
Heat the same pan on low to medium heat and add the remaining butter. Continuously stir as the butter melts. Keep stirring until the butter starts to turn a golden color. Then add the onions back to the pan. Add the tomato puree, red pepper flakes, pepper, salt, dried basil, vodka, and cream (or half and half). Stir and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve over pasta and top with grated parmesan cheese.
