Vodka-Infused Spicy Tomato Penne with Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-08 · Updated 2026-06-08

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 penne pasta tossed in a spicy vodka tomato sauce enriched with fresh basil and garlic. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced 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: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling 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 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Pour in 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup vodka. Simmer for 10 minutes until the alcohol cooks off and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Stir in 1/3 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add the cooked penne pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to coat evenly.
Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately garnished with extra basil if desired.