Vodka-Infused Penne with Roasted Garlic and Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Al dente penne pasta tossed in a smooth roasted garlic and tomato vodka sauce with fresh basil. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 35 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 8 whole unpeeled garlic cloves with 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and roast on a baking sheet for 20 minutes until soft and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
  3. Step 3: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a large skillet and heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1/4 cup vodka, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and cook for 2 more minutes until the sauce turns creamy and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Add the drained penne pasta to the sauce along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately garnished with extra basil and Parmesan for a comforting, flavorful pasta dish.

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