Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce
This penne is drenched in a creamy spicy vodka sauce that has a secret ingredient in it: jarred pesto! Inspired by a recipe from the Half Baked Harvest blog, this pasta dish is amazing and so easy to throw together in about 30 minutes, using ingredients you probably have on hand. You can make the sauce in a skillet while the pasta is cooking!
Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce
Slightly spicy, tomato-y, creamy pasta dish that comes together quickly! Serve with a side salad and some crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp butter divided
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 shallot chopped fine
- 1/2-3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup tomato paste (or one tube)
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 3/4 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pound penne
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup pasta water from the pot the pasta was cooking in
- kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- Add olive oil and 2 Tbsp butter to a large skillet over medium heat. When butter is melted, add the shallot, garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the shallots begin to caramelize. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and add the tomato paste. Stir until combined and cook about 5 minutes. Stir in the vodka and cook a couple more minutes then add the pesto and the heavy cream. Keep warm over low heat.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to the package directions. When pasta is done, do not drain; scoop out the pasta with a slotted spoon and put directly into the sauce in the skillet. Add the remaining 2 Tbsp butter along with the parmesan to the skillet and combine, adding up to 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- To serve, spoon into bowls and sprinkle with parmesan and some freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy!