Vodka Sauce is a luxurious, tomato-based sauce that offers a delightful kick, perfectly complementing pasta in this penne alla vodka dish. If you enjoy creamy red sauces, be sure to try my Copycat Carbone’s Spicy Pasta recipe for another savory pasta delight.
Yes, there is vodka in this sauce, and it plays a crucial role. The vodka enhances the tomato flavor and aroma in the sauce, making it creamier. It also adds a subtle heat, perfectly balanced with the red pepper flakes. Although penne alla vodka is the classic choice, you can use any pasta noodles you have on hand.
Vodka Sauce Recipe
This sauce is simple to prepare and can be made in a single skillet. Just ensure the skillet is large enough to accommodate the pasta when it’s ready.
How to Make Homemade Vodka Sauce
Creating this creamy sauce is straightforward, making it easy to satisfy your cravings. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to reserve a cup of pasta water to add to the sauce later. Drain and rinse the noodles and set them aside as you prepare the sauce.
To prepare the sauce, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the garlic and diced shallot, cooking until soft. Then, add the tomato paste, cream, vodka, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook these ingredients together until heated through, about 7 minutes.
This is where the reserved pasta water comes into play. Add the water a tablespoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency for the sauce. Finally, add the cooked pasta noodles and butter, mixing everything together. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
Can You Taste the Vodka?
The presence of vodka does alter the sauce’s flavor. If you taste the sauce immediately after adding the vodka (without simmering), the alcoholic flavor will be stronger. Therefore, it’s essential to simmer the sauce for 5-8 minutes before serving. This simmer time ensures the vodka’s ‘bite’ is subtle and integrated into the sauce.
If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can omit the vodka. However, this will affect the sauce’s flavor, and you may need to add a bit more pasta water to balance the consistency.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne noodles (450 grams), cooked according to package instructions
- ¼ cup olive oil (60 milliliters)
- 1 medium shallot, diced (about ¼ cup or 30 grams)
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced (15 grams)
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste (170 grams)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (480 milliliters)
- ¼ cup vodka (60 milliliters)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (5 grams)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (5 grams)
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (10 grams)
- 1 cup pasta water (240 milliliters), reserved from cooked pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter (30 grams)
- ½ cup parmesan, grated (50 grams)
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Heat a large pot of water to boiling, add the pasta noodles, and cook them according to the package instructions. Be sure to reserve 1 cup (240 milliliters) of cooked pasta water before draining and rinsing the noodles. Set the cooked noodles aside until you add them to the sauce.
2. Prepare the Sauce
Using a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallot, cooking for 3-5 minutes until soft.
3. Combine Ingredients
Next, add the vodka to deglaze the pan. Then, add the tomato paste, cream, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook these ingredients together until they are heated through, about 5-8 minutes.
4. Adjust the Sauce Consistency
At this point, you may need to add a bit of the reserved pasta water to the sauce. Add one tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency for the sauce.
5. Mix in the Pasta
Finally, pour in the cooked penne noodles and butter. Mix everything together until the butter is melted and the noodles are coated with the vodka sauce.
6. Garnish and Serve
Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Vodka Sauce Pasta!
