Penne Rigate in Vodka Sauce

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

vodka

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic vodka substitute

💰Cheaper: flavored sparkling water

Non-alcoholic options maintain flavor without alcohol

Bring 5 quarts of water to a boil and add 1 tablespoon of salt.

Add 1 pound of penne rigate to the boiling water and stir.

Cook the pasta while preparing the sauce.

In a skillet, add a little bit of butter and olive oil over medium heat.

Add chopped onions and smashed garlic cloves to the skillet, seasoning with a little salt.

Cook the onions until they are translucent.

Add canned San Marzano tomatoes to the skillet and smash them to create a chunky sauce.

Season the tomato mixture with salt and add pepperoncino for spice.

Once the pasta is nearly done, add vodka to the sauce and let it simmer.

Stir in heavy cream to the sauce to create a pinkish color and creamy texture.

Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water, and add the pasta directly to the sauce.

Mix the pasta into the sauce, allowing it to finish cooking in the sauce.

If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to loosen it.

Add fresh basil shreds to the pasta and sauce mixture before serving.

Turn off the heat and add grated Parmesan cheese to the pasta.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens