Description
A cozy, creamy pasta dish that feels special yet is easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Perfect for comforting cold nights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 3 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 small onion or 2 shallots, finely chopped (optional)
- 4 to 6 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/3 cup vodka
- 3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Basil for topping (if available)
Instructions
- Boil your pasta in well salted water. Before draining, save about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large pan, warm olive oil or butter. Add onion or shallot if using and cook until soft.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes and stir for about 30 seconds. Do not let the garlic brown.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 to 2 minutes until deeper in color.
- Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring.
- Lower the heat and stir in the cream gently.
- Add Parmesan and stir until smooth, using pasta water to loosen if needed.
- Toss in the pasta and coat it well. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and heat.
Notes
Use a big pan for tossing the pasta, and save more pasta water than you think you need for better sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian