Penne alla Vodka

🧑‍🍳 Ingredients

• 🍝 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
• 🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced.
• 🧅 1 shallot, diced.
• 🧈 butter
• 🍅 1 cup (240ml) tomato paste
• 🥃 1/4 cup (60ml) vodka
• 🥛 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream - for a velvety consistency
• 🧀 1/2 cup (50g) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 🧂 Salt and pepper, to taste

🍳 Instructions

1. In a large pan, heat butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
2. Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
3. Add in the tomato paste and stir well to combine. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then take off the heat.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
5. Back to the sauce - stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and pink.
6. Add the drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
7. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve immediately, topped with extra parmesan if desired.