Spicy Penne alla Vodka
Tender pasta in a fiery, vodka-spiked tomato cream sauce! If you like penne alla vodka, you’re gonna love this one!
Adding heat to traditional penne alla vodka changes the game entirely! Adding a fiery chile pepper and crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce elevates its flavors and perfectly complements the sweetness of the tomatoes and cream.
How spicy is the sauce? As spicy as you want to make it. I used a whole habanero chile pepper and a hefty amount of crushed red pepper flakes. You can choose a milder chile pepper (like jalapeño) and/or use half a pepper. You can also serve the crushed red pepper flakes on the side so folks can add what they want.
What should you serve with your penne alla vodka? I suggest adding some warm, crusty bread and a crisp green salad (or steamed green veggie)! That’s really all you need to round out the meal.
Spicy Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne, or other pasta shape of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 habanero or jalapeño pepper, or chile pepper of choice, seeded and minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups tomato sauce, or 15-ounce can, or puréed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup vodka, or 1/4 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Grated parmesan cheese, for serving
- Crushed red pepper flakes for serving
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water (reserve 1/2 cup if you’re not using vodka).
- Meanwhile, heat the oil a large saucepan or high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the chile pepper and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the basil, oregano, and onion powder and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the tomato sauce, vodka, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in the cream and reserved pasta cooking water. Fold in the cooked pasta and cook for 1 minute to heat through.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
- Top with parmesan cheese and serve with extra parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes on the side.