Easy Delicious Spicy Penne Alla Vodka

Say goodbye to Italian takeout and hello to this new easy-to-make favorite – penne alla vodka. This creamy and flavorful sauce is impossible to ignore. Enjoy these five simple steps to perfect pasta.

This is one of my favorite pastas to order when I go out for dinner. Its rich and delicious flavor is unbeatable. You’re in luck because you never have to pay someone else to make this for you again! Here’s a tasty penne alla vodka recipe that’ll get dinner to the table in no time.

You might also know this meal as the “Gigi Hadid Pasta” that went viral in the heat of the pandemic. It’s so good. This pasta is a classic that you must try and the best part? It’s so easy to make.

A lot of people use tomato paste for this recipe for its thickness and slight sweetness however, I prefer tomato purée with a dash of granulated sugar. I personally think it tastes much better and its lighter.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

In a large skillet over medium heat, pour in the olive oil. Add pancetta, onions and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are softened and translucent, 4 to 5 minutes.

Fold in tomato sauce and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until paste has coated shallots and garlic and is beginning to darken, 5 minutes. 

Lower heat on skillet. Pour in vodka to pot and stir to incorporate, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Let vodka reduce to about half to prevent that unwanted harsh aftertaste.

Return sauce to medium heat and add 1/4 cup of pasta water and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Add half of the grated cheese and stir until melted.

Lower heat and stir in cooked pasta. To make sure that each piece of pasta is coated, I like to stir the pasta directly into the sauce while it’s still in the skillet before adding some more Parmigiano Reggiano.   Fold in remaining cheese, oregano and parsley. Add more pasta water (about a tablespoon at a time) if the sauce is looking dry. Serve topped with more cheese and fresh parsley.

When you’re in the mood for Italian food, definitely give this penne alla vodka a try. You’d be surprised at how authentic and delicious it is!

Mo’s Tip

• You don’t have to use penne pasta, you can use farfalle, rigatoni, fusilli and cavatappi instead! You’ll notice from the pictures that I used rigatoni. I feel it holds more sauce which I love.
• Let the sauce simmer for long enough so that the alcohol cooks off. If you don’t cook the sauce for long enough, you may end up with a harsh aftertaste from the alcohol.
• Pancetta isn’t a must add but it definitely adds a deep, rich taste to an already flavorful meal. For more protein, I like to add italian sausage or grilled chicken.
• Add veggies for a more balanced meal! My favorite vegetable to eat with everything is broccolini. Zucchini and mushrooms also pair well with this dish.
• Get a fresh block of cheese and grate it yourself. Using fresh cheese as opposed to packaged cheese makes or breaks any dish.