Penne Alla Vodka

By Becky Hardin

Published Dec 31, 2022

This Penne alla Vodka recipe is made with a creamy tomato-based vodka sauce that is just delicious. It’s so easy to make the sauce and mix in some pasta for a dinner that tastes more complicated than it is. Vodka penne is a classic for a reason, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes !

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What’s in Penne alla Vodka?

This easy penne alla vodka recipe contains pretty simple ingredients, but it creates the most flavorful pasta dish!

Pasta: Penne is the prime choice of pasta for this dish, of course (it’s in the recipe name!). Cook the pasta al dente before making the sauce.
Tomato Paste: We’re making a creamy tomato vodka sauce, so the paste creates the base.
Heavy Cream: This adds a silky, creamy texture. You can use half and half as a substitute.
Vodka: You only need a small amount. It helps blend the other ingredients into a nice texture, without adding in additional flavor.
Pasta Water: Save about ½ cup of water when boiling your pasta. Use a glass jar or heat-resistant container and set it aside until you need it.
Cheese: Parmesan works best for this dish, and I recommend grating your own cheese for best quality.
Garlic: I used 3 cloves of garlic here, but feel free to use more to your taste.
Seasoning: Grab your Italian seasoning and some salt and pepper.

Can I make penne alla vodka with chicken?

Absolutely! Add grilled chicken , shredded chicken , or poached chicken breast (or any chicken you like). Just slice, shred, or cube it up, then mix it in with the pasta and sauce to warm up. You can make the chicken ahead of time, or cook it while you’re boiling the pasta.

For other add-in options, try Italian sausage, pancetta, or prosciutto.

how to make penne alla vodka step by step photo instructions - 6

Yes, there is actually vodka in penne vodka sauce! It’s a small amount and doesn’t mess with the flavor the way wine would. Also, the alcohol cooks out as the sauce simmers.

You need a bit of liquid to fill out the sauce, and pasta water is more flavorful than plain water. Plus, the starch from the pasta helps to thicken the sauce and it will coat the pasta more evenly.

This sauce tastes amazing with any type of pasta, so use whatever you like. Short and tubular noodles, like rotini or ziti, make great substitutes. But it will taste just as good served over angel hair pasta or tagliatelle.

Any bitterness from the vodka should cook out, so keep simmering if it doesn’t taste quite right yet. You can also add a tiny bit more cream or pasta water to help dilute the flavor.

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How to Store and Reheat Vodka Penne

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Then you can simply reheat it in a skillet or in the microwave.

How to Freeze Vodka Sauce

I don’t recommend freezing pasta, but you can definitely freeze the creamy vodka sauce and save it for later. Pour it into a freezer-safe container or bag, and keep it for up to 3 months. Defrost it in the fridge before using it, then just reheat and add fresh pasta.

What to Serve with Penne alla Vodka

This creamy penne recipe goes well with cheesy garlic bread , chicken Caesar salad , and a glass of red wine. You can’t beat the simplicity of a classic Italian dinner!

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For more delicious pasta sauces, be sure to try this Homemade Alfredo and Beef Bolognese Sauce .

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!

Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 2 tablespoons butter
▢ 3 cloves garlic finely minced
▢ 2 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ ½ cup vodka
▢ ½ cup pasta water
▢ 1 cup heavy cream
▢ 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
▢ 12 ounces penne pasta cooked

Video

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about one minute. 2 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic
Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir and cook until the tomato paste becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pour in the vodka and pasta water and stir and cook until it starts to thicken then add the heavy cream and stir and cook once again before adding the parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts. ½ cup vodka, ½ cup pasta water, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
Add the pasta and stir once again then serve with freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired. 12 ounces penne pasta

Becky’s Tips

This pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Take care not to overcook your pasta. It should be al-dente when you drain it, as it will start to cook again when you mix it in with the sauce.
Remember to keep some of your pasta water for an extra silky sauce!
For the best flavor and texture use a freshly grated parmesan.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

MoreClassic Pasta DishesWe Love

Chicken Alfredo
Baked Ziti
Cacio e Pepe
Baked Mostaccioli
Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Pasta Pomodoro
Fettuccine Alfredo
Baked Feta Pasta
Pesto Cavatappi
Creamy Pasta Primavera

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Easy Penne Alla Vodka Recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic finely minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup vodka
½ cup pasta water
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
12 ounces penne pasta cooked

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant, about one minute. 2 tablespoons butter, 3 cloves garlic
Add the tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and stir and cook until the tomato paste becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pour in the vodka and pasta water and stir and cook until it starts to thicken then add the heavy cream and stir and cook once again before adding the parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts. ½ cup vodka, ½ cup pasta water, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
Add the pasta and stir once again then serve with freshly minced parsley for garnish if desired. 12 ounces penne pasta

Video

Notes

This pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Take care not to overcook your pasta. It should be al-dente when you drain it, as it will start to cook again when you mix it in with the sauce.
Remember to keep some of your pasta water for an extra silky sauce!
For the best flavor and texture use a freshly grated parmesan.

Nutrition

By Becky Hardin

Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List

It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!

It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.

However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.

In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.

I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List

What to Buy at the Grocery Store

This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.

When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.

So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!