Penne Pasta with Tomato Cream Vodka Sauce
Delicious any night of the week.
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 browned butter and cream to the mix the sauce just gets better and better.
This meatless pasta dish is rich and tastes heavenly.
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.
Serve this pasta with a side of “Easy-To-Make Garlic Bread“, a salad or just by its delicious self.
Here are more meatless recipes you may like “Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese“, “Jalapeno and Cheese Taquitos” and “Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce and Mushrooms“.
Let’s check out the ingredients.
For the Pasta – Mini Penne pasta (or other tube-type pasta such as ziti, regular size penne, mostaccioli would be good too), salt
For the Pasta Sauce – Butter, onion, garlic, tomato puree (or tomato sauce), cream (or half and half), Vodka, pepper, red pepper flakes, salt, dried basil and grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.
Here’s how to make it.
For the Pasta:
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) according to package instruction.
Drain the pasta (but don’t rinse so that the pasta will keep its starch and hold and absorb the sauce). Set aside.
For the Pasta Sauce:
For Sautéing the Onion and Garlic – 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,
For the Browned Butter – 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 10 minutes.
Serve warm over pasta and top with grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.
Then…
…enjoy each and every heavenly bite.
Thank you so much for stopping by CCC!
More Pasta Recipes You May Like:
Italian Sausage and Radiatore Pasta One Skillet Meal
Linguine with Tomato Cream Sauce
Smoked Sausage and Vegetable One Skillet Meal
Sloppy Joe Macaroni and Cheese
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Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1 cup dry mini penne pasta or your favorite pasta
- 4 dashes salt for the boiling water
For the Pasta Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter for sautéing the onion and garlic
- 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
Instructions
For the Pasta:
- 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) according to package instructions.
- Drain the pasta (but don't rinse; you want the pasta to keep its starch so it will hold and absorb the sauce). Set aside.
For the Pasta Sauce:
- For Sautéing the Onion and Garlic - 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.
- For the Browned Butter - Heat the same pan on low to medium heat and add the 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 10 minutes. Serve warm over pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
TIP
- Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking it. When pasta is rinsed, the starch is removed. The starch on pasta helps to hold and absorb the sauce so it’s important to keep the starch on the pasta.
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