Vodka-Infused Tomato Basil Pasta with Garlic Croutons

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

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 pasta tossed in a bright tomato basil sauce enriched with vodka, topped with crunchy garlic croutons for texture. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 baguette slices
1/4 cup, grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add 12 oz penne pasta. Cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup vodka and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce alcohol, then add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer sauce gently for 10 minutes until thickened.
Step 4: Stir 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil into the sauce, then add the cooked penne pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Toss to coat pasta evenly and heat through for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange 8 baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and bake for 6-7 minutes until golden and crisp.
Step 6: Serve pasta topped with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese and garlic croutons on the side for added crunch.