Penne alla Vodka

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta (referred to as noodles in transcript)
• 1 yellow onion (diced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing onions)
• 0.5 head garlic (minced)
• salt (to taste)
• red pepper flakes (to taste)
• 2 tbsp butter (described as a big fat knob)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (a couple spoonfuls)
• 0.25 cup vodka (the cheapest you can find)
• 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream (added over low heat)
• 0.25 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling noodles)
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (a handful)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a quarter cup of pasta water before draining.

2. 2

   While the pasta water is heating, dice one yellow onion. Add it to a pan with a drizzle of olive oil over medium-to-low heat.

3. 3

   Mince half a head of garlic. Add the garlic to the pan with the onions along with a pinch of salt, red pepper flakes, and a large knob of butter.

4. 4

   Sauté the mixture until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

5. 5

   Add a couple of spoonfuls (about 2 tablespoons) of tomato paste to the pan. Cook the paste down for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, to caramelize it slightly.

6. 6

   Stir in a quarter cup of vodka. Let it simmer for a minute or two to cook off the raw alcohol smell.

7. 7

   Reduce the heat to low. Carefully pour in a half cup of heavy whipping cream. Stir constantly to combine, ensuring the heat is low enough that the cream does not burn or curdle.

8. 8

   Add a handful of grated parmesan cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water to the sauce, stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is glossy.

9. 9

   Add the cooked penne to the sauce. Toss well to coat every noodle thoroughly before serving.

Notes

The creator emphasizes using low heat when adding the heavy cream to prevent it from burning or tasting 'yucky'. They also suggest using inexpensive vodka for the sauce.

Nutrition per serving

• pasta
• dinner
• main dish
• vegetarian
• italian-american
• quick meals