Penne alla Vodka Recipe: Creamy Italian-American Pasta 2026

Penne alla vodka is a creamy tomato pasta with a gentle kick of cayenne and a splash of vodka that deepens the sauce. It's an Italian-American classic that comes together in just 25 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner for two.

The sauce starts with butter, onion and garlic, then vodka is added and reduced before canned tomatoes and a dried cayenne pepper go in. A little cooking cream and grated Parmesan turn it silky, and the pasta finishes right in the pan.

Ingredients for Penne alla Vodka

This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 20 g butter
• 80 g onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 50 ml vodka
• 200 g canned tomatoes
• 1 dried cayenne pepper
• 150 g penne
• Salt
• 100 ml cooking cream
• 30 g grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh oregano
• Ground black pepper

How to Make Penne alla Vodka Step by Step

1. Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Heat 20 g of butter in a skillet and sauté 80 g of chopped onion and 1 pressed garlic clove over low heat for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.

2. Add the Vodka and Let It Reduce

Pour in 50 ml of vodka and let it evaporate over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the Tomatoes and Cayenne

Stir in 200 g of canned tomatoes and 1 crumbled dried cayenne pepper. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Canned tomatoes are less acidic than fresh ones and work beautifully here; if you use fresh tomatoes, season them with a little sugar to tame the acidity. You can also loosen the sauce with a splash of pasta cooking water.

4. Boil the Pasta

While the tomatoes cook, boil 150 g of penne in plenty of salted water for the time specified on the package instructions, until al dente.

5. Pour in the Cream and Parmesan

Add 100 ml of cooking cream and 15 g of grated Parmesan to the sauce, setting the remaining 15 g aside for serving. Taste and adjust the salt if needed.

6. Mix the Pasta with the Sauce

Drain the penne and add it to the skillet, tossing well so every piece is coated in the creamy vodka sauce.

7. Serve the Penne alla Vodka

Serve immediately, dividing the remaining grated Parmesan, fresh oregano and ground black pepper over each plate.

Tips for the Best Penne alla Vodka

Choose the Right Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are less acidic than a fresh tomato sauce and give excellent results in a recipe like this. If you prefer fresh tomatoes, season them with a little sugar to reduce the acidity. In either case, you can thin the sauce with a little pasta cooking water.

Adjust the Heat to Your Taste

Even though this recipe is spicy, you can adapt the amount of cayenne you add. Half a pepper is perfectly fine if you prefer a milder sauce, and if you love heat, go ahead and use double.

Finish with Fresh Toppings

Save half of the Parmesan for the table and finish each plate with fresh oregano and ground black pepper. These fresh touches brighten the creamy sauce and make the dish look as good as it tastes.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

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