Vodka-Soaked Tomato Penne with Basil and Parmesan

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.

Al dente penne pasta tossed in a creamy tomato sauce enriched with vodka and fresh basil for a vibrant Italian-inspired meal. 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 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: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces penne pasta and cook for 11 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in 1/3 cup vodka carefully and simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes until thickened.
  5. Step 5: Lower heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil. Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot topped with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired.

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