Penne alla Vodka — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

The sauce is mostly tomato and dairy, so a thick sweet canned tomato is what keeps it from tasting thin. The technique: cook the tomato paste until it darkens and the vodka boils off the raw edge, then finish with butter and cheese off the heat for a glossy emulsion.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 4 servings

Penne rigate

The tube and ridges catch this clingy sauce; ridged penne is the classic pairing.

1 lb

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Tomato paste plus whole tomatoes

Concentrated paste gives the deep color and body; the whole tomatoes round it out.

28 oz

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Butter

Cold butter swirled in at the end emulsifies the sauce into that signature gloss; use a good cultured butter if you have it.

4 tbsp

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Parmesan

Grated fine, it melts in for salt and body; the rind can simmer in the sauce too.

50 g

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Calabrian chili

A pinch of heat cuts the richness; vodka sauce should have a low warm burn.

1 tsp

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Vodka and heavy cream

Vodka lifts aromas and cream softens the tomato; add cream off high heat so it does not split.

1/4 cup vodka

Heavy cream →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge

A light hand — your arteries say thanks.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Toast the pasteCook a heaping spoon of tomato paste in butter over medium 4-5 min until it darkens to brick red and smells sweet.
Add vodkaPour in the vodka and simmer 3 min to cook off the raw alcohol bite, scraping the pan.
Simmer and creamAdd crushed tomatoes and chili, simmer 12 min, then stir in cream and warm through without boiling hard.
EmulsifyToss al dente penne in the sauce with pasta water, kill the heat, and beat in cold butter and parmesan until glossy.

The Toolkit

Wide saucepan · Fine grater · Pasta pot · Wooden spoon · Ladle

Straight Answers

Can you make Penne alla Vodka in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Penne alla Vodka? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Penne alla Vodka ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Penne alla Vodka gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free pasta or noodle (check the other labels too).

Is Penne alla Vodka vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.34

Penne alla Vodka, and where to source it