Tomato Basil Penne alla Vodka Recipe
Emily Carter
A creamy, basil-infused twist on classic vodka sauce, combining fresh herbs, rich tomato flavor, and velvety smoothness.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Calories 520 kcal
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- ¼ cup vodka
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Boil the pasta: Cook penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant.
Deglaze with vodka: Pour in vodka, letting it cook off the alcohol for about a minute.
Add tomatoes: Stir in crushed tomatoes and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Make it creamy: Reduce heat and add heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
Enhance the flavor: Stir in butter, Parmesan, and a splash of pasta water.
Mix in pasta: Toss in the drained penne and coat evenly.
Garnish and serve: Top with fresh basil and more Parmesan.
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: 520
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
Vitamin & Mineral Content (Per Serving)
- Vitamin A: 12%
- Iron: 10%
- Calcium: 18%
- Potassium: 14%
- Folate: 9%
Flavor-Boosting Tips
- Use high-quality vodka—it actually matters.
- Fresh basil always beats dried.
- A splash of balsamic vinegar deepens the tomato flavor.
- Roasted garlic makes it even better.
Pasta this good shouldn’t be this easy. Yet, here we are!