Vodka sauce is a pink sauce with a splash of vodka that exists somewhere between a tomato sauce and an Alfredo sauce. It is rich, luscious, and is one of the best homemade pasta sauces you’ll ever learn to make at home.
Vodka sauce is a tomato-based cream sauce that is made with vodka. The vodka adds a distinctly sharp, bright flavor and helps emulsify the cream and tomatoes together. It’s a very comforting sauce that comes together quickly and pairs perfectly with pasta.
Chef Russo likes to add prosciutto ham for more intense flavor than pancetta, and he replaces parmigiana cheese with pecorino Romano cheese.
Penne alla Vodka – perfectly cooked al dente pasta cooked in a creamy and vibrant tomato and vodka infused sauce that’s seasoned with fresh basil and Romano cheese. Talk about delicious dinner recipe!
Ingredients for Penne alla Vodka Sauce
Seasonings
How to Make Vodka Sauce
Serves 4 to 6 people
How to Make Penne alla Vodka Sauce with Photos
Heat the olive oil and butter with the garlic and onion in a skillet over medium heat.
Sauté the onion until it is tender and slightly transparent. Add the chopped prosciutto and cook a further 2-4 minutes, or until the prosciutto begins to crisp along the edges.
Pour in the vodka and bring to a brisk simmer. Cook until the smell of alcohol dissipates. Next, add the peeled, hand crushed tomatoes, plus the purée from the can, and half can of water. Bring to a simmer for 4 to 5 min again. Season with salt, pepper, and basil to taste. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Turn off the heat while the pasta cooks.
When the pasta water reaches a rolling boil, salt it generously and add the penne. Cook for 7 min until al dente as directed or until al dente to your taste.
When the pasta is nearly finished, turn the sauce heat back on and stir in just enough heavy cream and Romano cheese to take the color from deep red to orange. Simmer for additional 3 to 4 minutes, then transfer the cooked pasta into the sauce using a slotted spoon. Stir all together and serve immediately.
The vodka flavor is in the background, with a hint of brightness of pink sauce with tiny bites of crispy prosciutto.
How to Store Penne alla Vodka Sauce:
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