Penne in Creamy Tomato and Vodka Sauce

Tomato and cream make an easy partnership: the tomatoes bring acidity and depth, while butter and a little double cream soften the sauce. Penne is particularly useful here, with ridges and hollow centres that catch the sauce as everything is tossed together.

Keep a mug of pasta water before draining; a small splash helps loosen the sauce so it coats the pasta evenly. The vodka goes in at two stages, so measure both portions before you start. Finish with cheese and basil if you like, and serve promptly—this is a dish best enjoyed while the sauce is still clinging happily to the penne.

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Courses: Mains

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Calories: 580

Best Season: All year

Description

Penne tossed in a rich tomato, butter and cream sauce with vodka, finished with optional grated Italian cheese and basil.

Ingredients

60 g unsalted butter
2 large cloves garlic (10 g prepared, crushed)
2 tbsp tomato purée
400 g chopped tomatoes
1 tsp caster sugar
80 ml vodka (divided into 70 ml and 10 ml)
3 tbsp double cream (45 g, approximately 3 tbsp)
400 g dried penne
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
hard Italian cheese (optional, grated, to serve)
basil leaves (optional, to serve)

Instructions

1
Melt the butter over a medium-low heat. Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes without browning it. Add the tomato purée and stir for another 2 minutes.
2
Add the tomatoes and sugar, season lightly with salt and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour in 70 ml vodka and simmer for another 5 minutes, until thickened.
3
Meanwhile, cook the penne in boiling salted water for about 10 to 12 minutes, until just tender, checking the pasta as it cooks. Reserve a mug of the cooking water, then drain.
4
Lower the sauce heat and stir in the cream and remaining 10 ml vodka. Add the pasta with a little reserved water and toss over a gentle heat until the sauce coats the penne.
5
Finish with black pepper and, if using, grated cheese and basil.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 579.524378kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 20.1055g31%
Saturated Fat 11.60345g59%
Sodium 21.173006mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 82.5148g28%
Dietary Fiber 5.96g24%
Sugars 6.78675g
Protein 12.8805g26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Contains alcohol; cooking does not guarantee its complete removal. Allergens: wheat/gluten and milk.

Nutrition is an estimate per serving, based on the stated weights. Optional garnishes, accompaniments and extra seasoning are excluded. Brands and preparation can change the figures. Includes the full energy of the vodka before cooking; evaporation can reduce this. Extra cheese, basil and salt in the pasta water are excluded.