My rich Penne Alla Vodka Sauce Recipe will change how you feel about tomato sauce. With a splash of vodka, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese added in, you’ll love the extra creamy flavors!
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil, add chopped onions and cook over medium heat until onions have softened, about 4 minutes.
Add in the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
Add the fresh oregano, fresh cut tomatoes (keep cherry tomatoes whole), and chili flakes and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and become soft.Stir often to prevent burning. Remove from the heat.
Using a hand blender and blend ¾ the tomatoes in a container or right in the pan. If using a blender, add ¾ of the tomatoes to the blender and blend until smooth, stir the blended tomatoes back into the skillet.
Add ½ cup vodka to the tomatoes in the pan, cook for 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat to evaporate the alcohol. Stir often to prevent burning.
Add the butter, salt to taste, heavy cream and the parmesan. Simmer for another 5 minutes until creamy.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain.
Serve with a pound of your favorite cooked pasta with extra parmesan cheese and freshly chopped basil.
Notes
What type of tomatoes to use:You can use all roma tomatoes or all cherry tomatoes instead of a mix. Larger tomatoes have too much juice, so don’t use larger beefy tomatoes.Can I use canned tomatoes:If fresh tomatoes are not in season or an option, replace with a good quality 1 (28 oz) can of whole tomatoes, crushed with your hands.What type of pasta can I use:You can serve this vodka sauce with any pasta you love, but I especially prefer it with the smaller shapes. Penne alla vodka is classic, but I also love it with: Rigatoni, Fusilli, ziti, or Farfalle are great options too. Basically any smaller shaped pasta that the sauce will stick to better.Freezing Vodka Sauce:This can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Or it will keep in the fridge for about 3 – 4 days.Is it Keto-friendly:Yes, this recipe for homemade vodka sauce is keto-friendly and low in carbs. You can serve it with meatballs or add ground sauteed beef or chicken to make it hearty and top on top of cauliflower mash.