A mouth-watering, luxurious Penne al Vodka dish with a creamy tomato sauce, a hint of spice, and a garnish of Parmesan and fresh oregano. Impress your guests with this elegant and flavorful pasta dish.
Bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil over high heat.
2
Add the penne pasta to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add in the red chile flakes and thinly sliced garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
4
Add the vodka to the pan and allow it to simmer for about 1 minute, letting the alcohol evaporate slightly.
5
Add the hand-crushed tomatoes to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 15 minutes.
6
Using a blender, food processor, or immersion blender, blend the sauce until smooth, then pour back into the pan.
7
Stir in the heavy cream and 1 cup grated parmesan, season with 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and stir until smooth and well combined.
8
Add the cooked penne to the saucepan with the sauce; toss pasta until evenly coated.
9
Transfer the pasta to a serving platter and sprinkle with additional grated parmesan, coarsely chopped fresh oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper, if desired.