Penne alla Vodka

Recipe courtesy The Gourmet Cookbook, Conde Nast Publications, 2004

Show: Sara's SecretsEpisode: Gourmet Dinners

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (50)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(50)

Cook Time:
15 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 15 min
Total:: 25 min

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Ingredients

1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2/3 cup vodka
3/4 cup canned tomato puree
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 pound cooked ham, finely chopped
2 drops hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1 pound penne
3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Directions

Melt butter in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in vodka, bring to a simmer, and simmer for 4 minutes. Add tomato puree and cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in ham, Tabasco, salt, and pepper. Keep sauce warm over very low heat.

Cook pasta in 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt per every 4 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and drain pasta.

Add pasta to sauce and toss with sauce and cheese, adding some of reserved cooking water if pasta seems dry.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Penne alla Vodka
Jackie Voorhees, NJ 10-12-2009
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Excellent!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I got adventurous one day & decided to make this & was so pleased with the outcome!!! It has been a hit every time since. ... Although, with every recipe, I made some alterations. I sautee onion & pancetta in the beginning. Decrease vodka to 1/3 cup & add a tad more tomatoe puree. Read more
recipe Penne alla Vodka
Keri Fort Dodge, IA 07-21-2009
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House regular!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this recipe more times then I can remember now. The only changes I made were I omitted the ham because I originally... made this recipe on a Friday during Lent and as a Catholic family we could not have meat. I also added just a touch of tomato paste to thicken the sauce a little. This dish is delicious I love it, husband loves it, son loves it! Read more
recipe Penne alla Vodka
june jersey city, NJ 07-18-2009
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Was not impressed
Rated: 1 stars out of 5

I've ordered penne with vodka sauce in many restaurants and this did not even compare. It was lacking flavor...I will have... to try a different recipe next time.Read more
recipe Penne alla Vodka
laurie jacksonville, FL 07-06-2009
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Easy and worthy of company!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this for my in-laws and it was a big hit. I did alter the recipe a bit though to cut calories. Instead of the cream,... I stirred in 4 oz. of softened low fat cream cheese at the end. It thickened the sauce and added a nice creamy flavor. Also, I added frozen peas to the pasta water the last minute of boiling- tomatoes, pancetta and peas are the best combination!Read more
recipe Penne alla Vodka
christina wappingers falls, NY 06-17-2009
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Great and Easy!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made this last night and my family loved it. My daughter is my taste tester and after her first taste she couldn't wait... until it was done. I followed the suggestions of only 1/3 cup of vodka and it was great. I also added a squeeze or two of tomatoe paste (I read that some people's sause was to thin) I also used proscuitto. Can't wait to make this again!Read more
recipe Penne alla Vodka
Jen Carlsbad, CA 06-03-2009
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Delicious! But not perfect.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This recipe was pretty good. It was my first time making Penne alla Vodka, but I've eaten better at restaurants. The sauce... came out too thin, which is my only complaint. The penne needed more sauce sticking to it. I also did not use tabasco sauce, but I added crushed pepper flakes instead. I originally added 1/3 cup vodka by the other recommendations, but it wasn't enough, so I ended up cooking off a little more in a separate pan and adding it. By the time the alcohol cooks off, there's really not much left. The taste was great though!! I would make this again but with some adjustments to thicken up the sauce.Read more