Creamy Dreamy Penne Vodka Pasta Recipe: A Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal
This Penne Vodka Pasta recipe is a classic for a reason: it's incredibly easy to make, ridiculously delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, or a simple yet impressive meal for guests. This recipe focuses on fresh, high-quality ingredients to elevate this beloved dish. Let's get cooking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup vodka (optional, but adds depth of flavor!)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Making the Sauce:
-
Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
-
Building the Flavor: Add the crushed tomatoes, vodka (if using), oregano, and basil to the skillet. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
-
Creamy Perfection: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and simmer for another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to meld beautifully. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Combining and Serving:
-
Combine and Toss: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the vodka sauce.
-
Garnish and Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese.
Tips for the Best Penne Vodka Pasta:
- Use good quality ingredients: The better your ingredients, the better your pasta will taste. Look for high-quality crushed tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Al dente pasta is key to a great dish.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste: Feel free to add more or less of any of the seasonings to suit your preferences.
- Add some heat: For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Make it your own: Get creative with additions! Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes would all be delicious additions.
SEO Keywords:
- Penne Vodka Pasta
- Vodka Sauce
- Pasta Recipe
- Easy Pasta Recipe
- Weeknight Dinner
- Italian Food
- Creamy Pasta
- Simple Pasta Recipe
This recipe is optimized for search engines by incorporating relevant keywords naturally throughout the text, using header tags (H2, H3) to structure the content, and providing a comprehensive and helpful guide for readers. Remember to share this delicious recipe with your friends and family!
