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Creamy Penne alla Vodka with Italian Sausage

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner recipe featuring penne pasta in a rich, creamy vodka sauce with spicy Italian sausage, perfect for comforting weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed (sweet or spicy)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 11-13 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed) and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove sausage from skillet and set aside, leaving the drippings.
  3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and finely chopped shallot. Sauté over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent, but not browned.
  4. Pour in 1/4 cup vodka, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes so the alcohol cooks off and the flavors meld.
  5. Stir in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Return the cooked sausage to the pan. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce is creamy and heated through. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  7. Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time if the sauce needs loosening. Stir in chopped fresh basil and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan and basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not rush the simmering step to allow the sauce to thicken properly. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without diluting flavor. Brown the sausage well for depth of flavor. Cook off vodka properly to remove harsh alcohol bite. Avoid burning garlic and shallots to prevent bitterness. Reheat leftovers gently with added cream or milk to restore texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: penne alla vodka, Italian sausage, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, weeknight meal, comfort food

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