Penne Alla Vodka | Pasta with Vodka Sauce

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

vodka

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic vodka substitute

💰Cheaper: white grape juice

Non-alcoholic options provide similar flavor without alcohol.

Put water on to boil in a large pot.

Dice red onion and slice garlic cloves thinly.

Optional: Dice prosciutto into small pieces.

Use tomato paste from a tube, preferably made in Italy.

Use high-quality vodka that you would enjoy drinking.

Use Checo brand penne pasta or another short pasta.

Heat a large pot over medium heat and add a little extra virgin olive oil.

Add prosciutto to the pot and cook until it gets some color, about 2-3 minutes.

Add diced onions to the pot and a little salt, cooking for about 5 minutes until the onions release moisture.

Add sliced garlic to the pot and stir for about 1 minute to prevent burning.

Add half a tube of tomato paste to the pot and let it sear for a moment to develop color.

Add half a pound of penne pasta to the boiling salted water.

After a minute, deglaze the pot with vodka, scraping the bottom to lift the flavors.

Let the vodka reduce for about 1 minute.

Add a little less than half a cup of heavy cream to the pot and stir to combine.

Add Calabrian chili paste or red pepper flakes for heat, stirring to incorporate.

Grate 24-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese into the sauce as it cooks.

If the sauce is too thick, add a little starchy pasta water to loosen it up.

Drain the pasta, avoiding rinsing it, and add it directly to the sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens