Vodka Sauce with Penne Pasta

Vodka sauce is a rich, creamy pasta sauce made with tomatoes, cream, and a splash of vodka. A staple of Italian American cuisine, the vodka doesn’t make the sauce taste boozy but instead enhances the tomato flavor and helps the cream blend smoothly into the sauce. Most of the alcohol cooks off, leaving a slight sharpness that balances the cream’s sweetness. The sauce typically ranges in color from pink to orange. San Marzano tomatoes are ideal for vodka sauce, but Roma tomatoes work well too and are easier to find. Pureeing the tomatoes creates a velvety, smooth texture that makes the sauce irresistibly creamy.

Coarsely chop the tomatoes and blend them on high speed until they turn smooth. You will need 3 1/2 cups of tomato puree.

Boil pasta according to instructions on package.

Prepare your ingredients: mince 3 garlic cloves or use 1 tablespoon of jarred garlic, 1 large shallot finely diced, 3/4 cup of vodka, 1/4 cup of chicken broth, 1/3 cup of heavy cream, 31/2 cups of tomato puree, 2 tablespoons of butter (cubed for quicker, even melting), 1 teaspoon of oregano leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, cracked pepper to taste and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Grate 1 cup of parmesan cheese. Preheat your skillet to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Add butter to the skillet with the extra virgin olive oil and add shallots, sautéing for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and sauté for another minute.

Add in 3/4 cup of vodka cooking for 5-6 minutes then add in 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Bring to a boil.

Add the tomato puree and stir well, then bring the sauce back to a boil.

Then lower the heat to a simmer and stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of oregano leaves, and 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently.

Add in 1 cup of parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup of heavy cream, stirring until combined. Simmer until sauce has thickened.

Drain pasta and toss with the vodka sauce.

Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Enjoy!

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