The first mention of Penne Alla Vodka dates back to 1974 by an Italian actor and the most recent mention – which went viral on Tiktok – was by Gigi Hadid in late 2020. Penne Alla Vodka is rich, creamy, cheesy and can be chilli, a perfect combination to make it an all-time favorite and popular.
Can Penne Alla Vodka get you drunk?
No, you will not get drunk with the vodka in this pasta sauce. On the other hand, it is not exactly true that the alcohol evaporates totally when you let the sauce with alcohol simmer for even two and a half hours, even then you will have 5% retained. By the way, this recipe requires half an hour for simmering the sauce, which – according to studies of the US Dept of Agriculture – will retain 35% of the alcohol.
Considering that only ⅓ cup vodka is used for the whole recipe you will not get drunk and it is not harmful to pregnant. In any case, if you are having guests be considerate and ask them if they are ok with having Penne Alla Vodka before going ahead, just in case.
What are the Penne Alla Vodka ingredients?
Penne: Pasta is the major ingredient obviously. Replace with any other pasta that is available in your pantry. Gigi Hadid for instance made hers with small shell pasta. Cook al dente, as per package instructions.
Tomato: I used canned tomato cubes with a short blitz in the food processor. Substitutes: tomato paste, fresh tomatoes. If using tomato paste make sure to sauté until it leaves off its aroma. If using fresh tomato add a teaspoon of sugar if the taste is bitter.
Vodka: As most of it is going to evaporate you do not need the most expensive vodka.
Double Cream/Heavy Cream: 300 millilitres (10 fl oz) is required. Substitute: with the same amount of milk and an additional teaspoon of butter.
Onion and garlic: Chop well and cook both until soft.
Spices and herbs: Tarragon, basil, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Increase the red pepper flakes for a more hot spicey flavor.
Parmesan: Grate 100 grams (3.5 oz) for the sauce and some more for garnish.
Garnish: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and sprinkle with additional grated parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
What else can be added to Penne alla Vodka?
For more protein, you can add any of the following. Make sure they are cooked separately if needed.
- Shrimps
- Slices of chicken or turkey
- Thin cut steak pieces
- Mushrooms
- Legumes
How to make vodka sauce?
- Use a wide skillet or a heavy bottom pan.
- Do not heat before adding the first contents.
- Add olive oil, red pepper flakes and minced garlic cloves. Do not be shy about the red pepper flakes if you want your penne alla vodka spicy.
- Start cooking over medium heat.
- Just before the garlic turns brown add a well-chopped onion and the butter.
- Do not add the butter earlier as it might get burnt.
- Sauté until onion becomes translucent.
- Then add the vodka together with the tarragon, basil, salt and black pepper.
- Let simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream while whisking quickly and cook for additional 10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Just before mixing the sauce with the pasta add the grated parmesan cheese and mix one last time.
This recipe is absolutely delicious, you have to believe me everyone will ask for seconds so I make plenty. If you want to serve salads with this recipe go for a simple Steamed Asparagus And Avocado Salad With Lemon Dressing.
Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 grams Pasta penne or similar shapes
- ⅓ cup vodka
- 500 grams canned tomato chunks
- 1 onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon tarragon
- ½ teaspoon basil
- 5-6 sprigs parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 300 millilitres double cream
- 100+ grams parmesan
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Vodka Sauce
- In a cold pan add the olive oil, red pepper and chopped garlic cloves and turn the heat on to medium.
- Just before the garlic turns brown add well-chopped onion and the butter.
- Sauté until onion becomes translucent.
- Add the vodka and let simmer for 5 minutes or until the alcohol leaves off its smell.
- Add the rest of the spices and the chopped tomato.
- Let simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and cook for additional 10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Just before serving add the parmesan cheese and mix one last time.
Pasta and assembly
- Cook the pasta in boiling water with salt to al-dente as per package instructions. Should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Once the pasta is ready drain, save a cup of the pasta water.
- Mix pasta with the vodka sauce. Add some pasta water if the sauce is too thick for you.
- Serve while warm.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, additional grated parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
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