Penne alla Vodka

1. Stage

Cook the pasta:  Fill a large pot of water (about 4 quarts) and salt it generously. Set it over high heat and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta into a colander set in the sink.

2. Stage

Meanwhile, start the vodka sauce:  Heat a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and once it’s hot, add the garlic, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Cook until soft, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, about 4 minutes. Pull the pan off the heat and add the vodka. You’re doing this off the heat to avoid a flare-up, especially if you have a gas stove. Return the pan back to the heat, now medium-high, and cook the alcohol off, about 2 minutes. The vodka should be reduced by half.

3. Stage

Add the crushed tomatoes:  Pour in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes until the raw tomato flavor cooks off.

4. Stage

Add the heavy cream:  Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the butter and heavy cream. When the butter has melted, take the pan off heat and blend the sauce with an immersion blender until smooth. You may need to transfer the sauce into a narrower container to do this. You could use a blender instead.  Transfer the sauce back into the pan and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.

5. Stage

Toss the pasta in the sauce:  Add the drained pasta into the sauce. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup Pecorino, the basil, and parsley. Stir the pasta in the vodka sauce until evenly coated. Serve with more cheese sprinkled on top.  Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water or cream.  Did you love the recipe? Leave us stars below!