Vodka-Infused Spicy Tomato Penne with Roasted Garlic

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.

Penne pasta tossed in a smooth and spicy tomato sauce enriched with vodka and sweet roasted garlic for depth and warmth. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, whole garlic cloves 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: 30 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 6 whole garlic cloves with 1 tbsp olive oil and wrap in foil. Roast 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, then drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  3. Step 3: While pasta cooks, heat remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into the skillet and mash with a spoon. Add 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring well.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1/3 cup vodka and simmer sauce for 8 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, cooking for 2 more minutes until creamy.
  6. Step 6: Add drained penne and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan to the sauce, tossing gently. If needed, add reserved pasta water 2 tbsp at a time to loosen the sauce. Serve topped with extra Parmesan.

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