Amazing Vodka Sauce Recipe

Name: Vodka Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (crushed); 1 ½ teaspoon oregano (dried); 1 cup vodka; 28 ounces plum tomatoes (can, peeled); 2 teaspoons salt; pepper; 1 pound pasta; ½ cup heavy cream; parmesan (fresh grated); 1 tablespoon mascarpone (optional)

35 minutes

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By: Julie Blanner3 Comments
Updated: 5/6/21

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This is the best Vodka Sauce recipe you are going to make at home! It’s authentic and packed full of delicious flavor. Serve with penne or your pasta of choice for a tasty weeknight meal.

Vodka sauce stirred in with pasta in a pan

It’s been a while since I’ve posted any pasta recipes, but you know it’s always in our weekly rotation. I’ve been making this vodka sauce for years – it’s an adaptation of Ina Garten’s, aka The Barefoot Contessa, Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola recipe. Let’s face it, though I dream of living a day in the life of Ina, we don’t all have that kind of time.

Sometimes I want pasta with a kick and this sauce is it. I know you’ll enjoy it, too. If you want to tone it down a touch, just add a little mascarpone cheese for a creamier flavor.

Table of Contents

To Make This Vodka Sauce Recipe, You Will Need:

Onions and garlic: The onion and garlic make the base of this pasta sauce. They should be as fresh as possible for the best flavor.
Vodka: You don’t need to use an expensive vodka in this recipe.
Canned plum tomatoes: Chose a good quality brand for maximum flavor.
Heavy cream: Cream makes this sauce so silky, it’s best not to replace it with a low fat version.
Seasonings: Oregano, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper bring this sauce alive!
Pasta: Make your own or used your favorite boxed variety.

How To Make This Vodka Sauce Recipe – Step By Step

My favorite vodka sauce recipe couldn’t be easier to make!

In a skillet over medium high and oil, onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. Add the red pepper and oregano and cook for an additional minute.
Pour in the vodka and reduce to half. Add the drained tomatoes to skillet and crush. Add salt and fresh cracked pepper.
Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 10 minutes.
Puree tomato mixture in a food processor until smooth and return to heat, then add the oregano and heavy cream and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in noodles, parmesan and add mascarpone.

What’s The Best Pasta To Serve With Vodka Sauce?

One thing I do always have time for is homemade pasta. I finally received the replacement part for my pasta maker attachment and immediately put it to good use.

Making homemade pasta is much quicker and more simple than you’d think, I make a batch from start to finish in the amount of time you can boil a box of noodles.

However if you don’t want to make your own pasta, no worries! You can purchase a good boxed pasta and cook al dente or better yet, pick up your noodles in the refrigerated section of your local grocery store for that homemade flavor.

The classic Italian dish, Penne Alla Vodka uses penne pasta, but you can use your favorite shape.

What Does Vodka Sauce Taste Like?

Vodka sauce is a tomato based pasta sauce. It tastes peppery and also has herbal flavors. The vodka helps to release the flavor from the tomatoes, resulting in a rich and creamy sauce. The flavor of the vodka adds a little heat and a sharp bite that balances out the sweetness of the cream and tomatoes.

How Long does Homemade Vodka Sauce Last?

If you have leftover sauce, you can store it in the fridge in an air tight container for about three to four days. Because there is cream in the sauce, it is best not to freeze it as it will separate.

A wooden spoon stirring vodka sauce into pasta

How Much Alcohol Is In This Pasta Sauce?

In my vodka sauce recipe, there’s a cup of vodka which is equal to 8 ounces. Contrary to popular belief, not all of the alcohol will evaporate during cooking, anywhere between 15 and 40 percent of it will cook off. Each serving of sauce will have an ounce or less of alcohol in it.

Parmesan being sprinkled over pasta and vodka sauce

Tips

Be sure to check that your seasonings aren’t stale for the best flavor.
Use good quality canned tomatoes.
It’s best to use heavy cream in this recipe, not low fat or milk.
Use freshly grated parmesan rather than ready grated.

If you try this recipe, please come back to share using my 5 star rating in the comments below! Not only do I appreciate it, but I know readers do, too! For more easy recipes and simple living ideas, subscribe to my newsletter!