Vodka-Infused Penne alla Vodka with Tomato Cream Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A smooth tomato cream sauce elevated with vodka, tossed with tender penne pasta and finished with fresh basil and Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small, finely diced yellow onion
4, minced garlic cloves
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/3 cup vodka
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in 1/3 cup vodka and cook for 3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to reduce slightly.
Step 5: Add 28 oz crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Step 6: Stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors.
Step 7: Toss the drained penne pasta into the sauce along with 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Serve warm.