From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
From the Cook
1/7
Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 375 ℉. Heat the olive oil in large, oven-proof pan over medium heat.
2
Add the onions and garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the red pepper flakes and dried oregano can cook for another minute.
3
Add the vodka and continue cooking until reduced by half.
4
Drain the tomatoes through a sieve and, using your hands, crush them into the pan with the onions. Add 2 teaspoons salt and a pinch of black pepper.
5
Cover the pan with a tight lid and place in the preheated oven for 1-1.5 hours. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
6
Place the tomato sauce in a blender and puree until the sauce is a smooth consistency. Return to the pan. Reheat the sauce and add the fresh oregano and enough heavy cream to make the sauce creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 10 minutes. Add parmesan cheese.
My Calorie Intake
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Vodka Selection Matters 🍶Use a mid-range vodka (not top-shelf, not cheap) as the alcohol cooks off but the vodka's unique properties help emulsify the sauce and brighten tomato flavors in ways other spirits cannot.
- Bloom Your Aromatics First 🧅Toast diced onion and minced garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes before adding tomatoes to build a deep flavor foundation that makes the entire sauce more complex and restaurant-quality.
- Cook Down Tomatoes Before Adding Cream 🍅Let crushed plum tomatoes simmer for 5-7 minutes before the vodka to reduce excess moisture and concentrate their natural sweetness, preventing a watery, diluted final sauce.
- Temper the Cream Properly 🥛Add cream slowly to the hot tomato-vodka mixture off-heat, stirring constantly to prevent curdling and ensure a silky, unified sauce that doesn't break or separate.
- Fresh Oregano at the End 🌿Stir in fresh oregano in the final 30 seconds and reserve some for garnish—dried oregano goes in early, but fresh herbs added at the end preserve their aromatic oils and vibrant flavor.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Vegetarian
Gluten Free
Low Carb
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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