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Penne with Vodka Sauce

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 570 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound of penne pasta
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup of vodka
  • 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
  • 1/2 cup of heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, chopped, for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet and heat until shimmering.
  • Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until it has darkened in color.
  • Add the vodka to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until it has reduced by half.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet and bring the sauce to a simmer.
  • Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Reserve some of the pasta cooking water and drain the penne pasta.
  • Add the cooked penne to the skillet with the sauce and toss to combine.
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet to loosen it up.
  • Serve the penne with vodka sauce hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil, if desired.