This easy penne alla vodka is a delicious and creamy pasta dish made with tomatoes, vodka, cream, prosciutto, peas, and spices. The end result is a beautifully delicious and creamy pasta sauce that tastes so good and the best part is it is so easy to make.
About this Penne alla Vodka
Penne alla vodka just means penne with vodka but it is actually so much more. The sauce is always a combination of tomatoes, cream and vodka and it makes such a beautiful combination of flavors. For this recipe, torn strips of prosciutto and peas are added right before serving for the most amazing flavor.
The Penne alla vodka comes from a chef friend who worked in an Italian restaurant in Miami and this was one of their most popular dishes. It is the one I have cooked for years with great success.
When you make this dish, you will see the color of this vodka sauce is very much a peach color. There are almost equal parts cream to tomato sauce but you can use a little less cream if that is your preference. You can make this along with a traditional Italian ricotta pie for a truly unforgettable Italian dining experience.
Ingredients you will need for this penne with vodka sauce:
- Penne pasta
- Vodka (good quality).
- Heavy Cream.
- Tomato Sauce (Recipe below or you can same some time and use store bought.)
- Prosciutto: Prosciutto di parma is the best for this recipe. If you have made my crispy prosciutto pasta, you know this!
- Peas: I always use frozen for this recipe.
- Butter
- Kosher Salt (for the pasta water and the sauce).
This is an easy Italian pasta recipe that tastes like it took all day to make but really it is ready in under 40 minutes. This makes the best leftovers as well so if you like a hot lunch this makes a great option.
How to make this easy penne alla vodka
- Make the sauce: When making the sauce you want to start by cooking down the garlic and onion and then you add the vodka so it can cook for a bit and the alcohol evaporates. Only then, after the vodka has cooked do you add the tomatoes, seasoning, peas and cream.
- Cook the pasta: Always remember to cook the pasta until al dente.
- Taste: Make sure to check for nay additional salt before tossing the vodka sauce with the pasta.
- Assemble: Mix the creamy vodka sauce with the pasta and now toss in the torn prosciutto. The prosciutto is added at the end because we do not want it to cook.
My Best Tips
- If you want to save time and not make the homemade tomato sauce portion of the this recipe, you can easily use store bought pasta sauce. If you do decide to do this, make sure you are buying only really good quality jarred sauce like RAOs sauce.
- Make sure to only add the prosciutto at the end right before serving so the prosciutto stays nice and soft!
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Easy Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 28 ounce Whole canned Italian tomatoes preferably San Marzano
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup Vodka Good quality
- 4 ounces prosciutto torn or cut into small strips
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic diced
- 1 fresh basil leaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt plus more to taste
- â…› teaspoon Dried Oregano
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, add your olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Now add your onions to the olive oil and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions are translucent.½ onion
- Now add your garlic and cook for one more minute.2 cloves garlic
- Add your vodka and let the alcohol cook out, about 3- 4 minutes or until you cannot smell the alcohol anymore.¼ cup Vodka
- Now add you canned tomatoes and give them a good mash down with a potato masher or mug.28 ounce Whole canned Italian tomatoes
- Add your salt, basil and oregano and let simmer for 5 minutes.1 fresh basil leaf, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, â…› teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Now add your peas and reduce heat to low.½ cup frozen peas
- When your pasta water is boiling, add a good handful of salt and then add your pasta.1 pound penne pasta
- Cook according to the manufacturers instructions for al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, stir your sauce again.
- Now add your cream and butter and mix well. Allow the butter to melt and mix again.½ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon butter
- Add your torn prosciutto to the sauce and mix it in then turn off the heat.4 ounces prosciutto
- Taste for any additional salt needed.
- Once your pasta is fully cooked, drain and then add it to your sauce.
- Gently toss it around to coat all of the pasta.
- Serve immediately.
Meg
It came out delicious. Everyone is asking for the recipe. Can’t wait to see more Italian recipes!
Danni
Wow! This pasta was incredible and so easy to make too!