One very exhausting day, I found myself in the grocery store at around 4:30pm roaming the aisles looking for something to make for dinner. I was getting frustrated that everything would take forever to cook and I was about to abandon my shopping cart and order Chinese takeout when my phone rang.
My “niece” Emma (my cousin’s daughter) loves to FaceTime everyone in the family every time she can get her hands on her mom’s phone. She especially loves talking to my boys. Anyway, on this particular day, while at the store, she called me. I answered the FaceTime and when she asked what I was doing, my cousin got on the phone. She proceeded to brag to me that she was feeding her family Penne Alla Vodka.
After she told me how quick it was, I was SOLD! Penne Alla Vodka for everyone!! (And of course I had to share with you!)
Ingredients
- 2 TBL butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots or onions
- 3 TBL tomato paste (tube of tomato paste)
- 1 tsp chili pepper (I omit this for the kiddos)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1 pound penne or other short pasta tubes
- Salt
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Preparations
- Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot.
- While you are waiting for the water to boil, melt the butter over medium low heat in a skillet large enough to hold all of the pasta.
- Add the shallots and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and chili pepper paste. Cook, stirring 1 minute or until blended.
- Add the heavy cream and vodka and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Add the pasta and salt to the boiling water. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is firm yet tender to the bite. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the sauce.
- Add the cheese and toss well. Serve hot.
So all in all, this whole meal took me about 20 mins. to make! It’s a winner!
Do you have any 20min meals you want to share with me? I’m always looking to save time!
Katja says
atYum! I haven’t made this in such a long time, now I want to start making it again!
Alexis Prieto says
atIt’s so yummy & so quick! I get stuck in a rut with cooking…it was nice to change it up!
Audrey McClelland says
atLooks incredible! I’ve always wanted to make this on my own!!! Thanks for sharing!
Alexis Prieto says
atThe sauce takes as long as the pasta takes to cook! So worth it…and the kiddos like it too!
Reesa says
atDo you know I never once had this until my husband introduced me to it about a decade ago? Now it is a favorite! Never made it from scratch though!
Alexis Prieto says
atYou should definitely try this recipe…SOOOO easy!
JB says
atIt’s my fav!!
Alexis Prieto says
atThanks for the recipe and the inspiration!