Baked Penne Alla Vodka: A Delicious Penne Al Forno Recipe!

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This baked penne alla vodka recipe is a delicious and simple twist on the classic penne alla vodka dish. This penne al forno recipe with layers of penne pasta, creamy vodka sauce, and melted cheese, is the perfect choice for a comforting dinner with family or friends.

The baked penne alla vodka in a casserole dish on the counter after baking in the oven with a large serving spoon scooping out a piece.

In my family, it is no secret I love baked pasta dishes, comfort food (you know this if you've tried my baked ricotta mac and cheese) and I also love penne all vodka! When I had the chance to try a dish of penne alla vodka al forno (baked penne alla vodka) at a local restaurant, I did not hesitate to order it.

What is not to love about a thick baked cheesy layer over pasta? Even better, is the pasta being coated in a delicious creamy vodka sauce before being baked. An added bonus is getting the cheese to brown as much as possible when baking it in the oven.

That restaurant visit was over 5 years ago, and I will say, I have been making this dish at home ever since. It is delicious, pure Italian comfort food and it is so easy to make.

Can You Make This Without Alcohol?

Technically it would not be a vodka sauce without the alcohol but if you are concerned about the alcohol not fully cooking out or you have personal concerns about alcohol, just omit it.

It will be more of creamy tomato sauce baked penne but it will still be delicious.

Baked penne all vodka in a casserole dish on the counter with cheese melted on top.

Ingredients

Creamy Vodka Sauce

Vodka (your favorite brand)
Canned Crushed tomatoes
Garlic: fresh garlic
Olive Oil
Onion
Kosher salt
Heavy cream

Pasta Bake

Penne pasta: Smooth penne or ridged penne pasta both work.
Shredded Mozzarella: I like buying pre-shredded mozzarella for this recipe but you could also use fresh mozzarella if you prefer.
Parmesan Cheese

How To Make Baked Penne Alla Vodka

Preparing the baked penne alla vodka including: Making the creamy vodka sauce, cooking the pasta then mixing it with the sauce, pouring the sauce and pasta mixture into a casserole dish, topping with mozzarella and Parmesan and baking.

Make the sauce: In a large saute pan over medium heat, make the tomato sauce portion of this recipe by cooking down the garlic and onion, then add the vodka so it can cook for a bit and the alcohol evaporates. Once that happens, add the canned tomatoes and seasoning, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Then add the cream.
Cook the penne pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
Taste: Make sure to check for any additional salt before tossing the vodka sauce with the pasta.
Assemble: Mix the creamy vodka sauce with the pasta then add it to a 9 x11 baking dish or casserole dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Bake: Bake the pasta in a preheated 375-degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and just starts to brown.

Recipe FAQs

What does al forno mean in Italian?

Al forno means to cook in the oven. Any oven-baked dish in Italy can be referred to with al forno.

Does Penne alla vodka taste the same without vodka?

It does not. There is a subtle background flavor the vodka adds to the sauce that compliments the cream and tomatoes.

Does vodka cook off in vodka sauce?

Most of the vodka will cook off in the cooking. If you are concerned about serving alcohol to someone who cannot have it, it is best to not use any alcohol just in case.

Variations And Substitutions

Italian cooking is all about improvising if needed. Don't stress too much if you do not have everything listed in the recipe. Here are some ideas on how to change things up:

Use store-bought marinara sauce: Instead of making the red sauce portion of the recipe from scratch, go ahead and use a good quality store-bought sauce instead.
Use fresh mozzarella or burrata: Other Italian cheeses work great with this recipe instead of shredded mozzarella.
Use ziti, rigatoni, or mini penne pasta instead of regular penne pasta.
Add in Italian sausage: If you like a meaty vodka sauce, feel free to add in Italian sausage when you make the tomato sauce or add in prosciutto like I do for my classic penne alla vodka recipe.
Add more creaminess by making an Italian bechamel sauce to go underneath the cheese layer.
Add oven baked Italian sausage to the pasta. Just bake them up, slice them into bite sized pieces and mix it into the sauce.

Making This Ahead Of Time, Storage & Reheating

Storing leftovers: Storing this pasta is so simple. To do this, allow it to cool then place it in a container with a lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating: To reheat the pasta, place it in a microwave-safe bowl with a dampened paper towel on medium heat for 1-2 minutes.
Making it ahead of time: This baked pasta is a great make-ahead dish. To do this, follow the entire recipe all the way to the end. Once the pasta is baked, allow it to cool. Cover the baked penne with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat the entire dish, remove from the fridge and allow the pan and pasta to come to room temperature. Place covered in a preheated 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

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