Penne Alla Vodka
About this recipe
Penne alla Vodka is a classic pasta dish that combines creamy tomato sauce with a splash of vodka for a rich flavor. In this video, the creator shares a nostalgic take on the recipe, reminiscent of childhood memories, and emphasizes the importance of technique to achieve the perfect sauce.
This version stands out by focusing on reducing the tomato sauce to concentrate its flavors before adding cream, ensuring a deliciously balanced dish. Plus, there's an optional addition of prosciutto for those who want a touch of nostalgia.
Ingredient notes
- Prosciutto is optional and adds nostalgia, but the dish is still great without it.
- The amount of heavy cream can be adjusted based on the desired color of the sauce, whether you prefer it more pink or red.
- Vodka is approximate; adjust to taste.
Tips from NOT ANOTHER COOKING SHOW’s video
- Cook the tomato sauce down to a thicker consistency than typical tomato sauce to enhance the flavors before adding cream.
- When adding vodka, turn off the heat first to avoid flare-ups, then turn it back on to reduce the vodka.
- Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency if it becomes too thick.
Good to know
- How many servings does this recipe make?
- This recipe serves 4 people.
- What should I do if the sauce is too thick?
- You can add reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce's consistency.
No life story here — the video and the recipe are the whole point. All credit to NOT ANOTHER COOKING SHOW: watch the original on YouTube.
The recipe
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Puree the canned tomatoes until smooth.
- 2
Slice the garlic thinly.
- 3
In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and add the prosciutto. Cook until it starts to brown and render its fat.
- 4
Add the sliced garlic and fresh basil to the pan, cooking until fragrant.
- 5
Turn off the heat and carefully add the vodka to deglaze the pan, then turn the heat back on and reduce the vodka.
- 6
Add the pureed tomatoes to the pan and reduce until thick, scraping the bottom of the pan occasionally.
- 7
Once thickened, lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and butter, mixing until combined.
- 8
Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving some pasta water.
- 9
Combine the cooked pasta with the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
- 10
Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Heads up — we had to guess a little:
- The amount of vodka is inferred based on typical usage in similar recipes.
Credit where it’s due: this recipe was transcribed from NOT ANOTHER COOKING SHOW’s original video on YouTube. Follow them there — it’s their dish.
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