Penne with Vodka Sauce

Bowl of penne with vodka sauce, topped with fresh parsley and cheese

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Penne with Vodka Sauce is a quick and easy weeknight meal everyone is sure to love.

Prep Time0

Cook Time30

Total Time30

Course: 30 minutes or less, dinner, Entree, Pasta, Sausage

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute meals, penne with vodka sauce

Servings:

Calories: 761kcal

Ingredients

16 oz penne pasta
1 lb ground Italian sausage
2 tablespoon garlic minced
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
28 oz crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoon vodka
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
3 tablespoon fresh basil chopped

Instructions

Place a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the sausage and cook, crumbling until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain any grease.
Stir in red pepper flakes, garlic and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 25 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions, usually 9-11 minutes. Drain, rinse and set aside.
Stir the vodka, heavy cream and parmesan into the skillet with the sausage and tomatoes. Bring back up to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta until coated. Top with fresh basil.
Divide into bowls and serve, topping with additional basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Substitutions: italian sausage can be replaced with ground beef, pancetta or chicken breast. Heavy cream can be replaced with half-and-half.

Serve with: buttered peas, garden salad, garlic bread, sauvignon blanc.

FAQs: vodka evaporates when it is cooked. The dish will not taste like vodka. Alternatively, use gin or water with a squeeze of lemon juice to replace the vodka. Thicken the sauce more by adding additional Parmesan cheese.

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