Vodka-Infused Tomato Basil Pasta with Garlic Olive Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-22 · Updated 2026-07-22

Al dente penne pasta tossed in a lightly spiced tomato sauce enriched with vodka and fresh basil, finished with a fragrant garlic olive oil drizzle. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, salt, extra virgin olive oil 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tsp for pasta water salt
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
• 1 small, minced shallot
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and 2 tsp salt, cooking uncovered for 11 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 small minced shallot, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent but not browned.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup vodka and cook for 1 minute to reduce the alcohol aroma.
4. Step 4: Stir in 28 oz crushed tomatoes and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, simmering for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
5. Step 5: Add the cooked penne to the sauce along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss together, adding reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time if the sauce is too thick.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and silky.
7. Step 7: In a small pan, warm the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil over low heat for 1 minute, then drizzle over the pasta before serving.