Vodka-Infused Spicy Tomato Pasta with Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

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 vibrant pasta dish featuring a spicy tomato sauce enriched with vodka and fresh basil, offering a perfect balance of heat and herbaceous notes. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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 460 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
4 minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 cup vodka
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup grated, for serving Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Carefully pour in 1/3 cup vodka and simmer for 3-4 minutes until reduced by half.
Step 5: Stir in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer the sauce gently for 15 minutes until thickened.
Step 6: Lower heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, cooking for 2 minutes to combine.
Step 7: Toss the cooked penne pasta into the sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat each piece.
Step 8: Serve immediately topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for a creamy, spicy vodka pasta experience.