Penne alla vodka (Pasta with vodka cream sauce)

📝 Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 teaspoon salt for water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 cup vodka (any brand will work)
• 1 28oz can whole peeled tomatoes (preferably san marzano tomatoes) OR 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• handful of finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red peppers or ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 oz heavy cream or half & half (see note for dairy-free options)
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Bring a pot of water to a rolling...: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the water. Add pasta, and boil for 8-9 minutes. Drain pasta and return to pot. In a separate smaller saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil, saute garlic, and once fragrant, pour over pasta. Add a dash of salt and toss to flavor, and coat. Cover the pot and set the pasta aside.
2. 2In a deep skillet or shallow pot, heat...: In a deep skillet or shallow pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat, and saute onions and garlic until fragrant (it should be a minute or two). Pour in vodka. Turn the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
3. 3Turn the heat up to medium-high again, then...: Turn the heat up to medium-high again, then add canned tomatoes to the pot, parsley, garlic powder, paprika, crushed red pepper, black pepper, and salt. Use a potato masher to mash tomatoes or an immersion blender to smooth the sauce. Let this simmer for 10 minutes on low heat.
4. 4Pour in heavy cream or half and half...: Pour in heavy cream or half and half milk and grated parmesan. Stir until the parmesan has melted into the sauce. Let simmer for about five minutes until the sauce looks creamy.
5. 5Add pasta to the sauce a little at...: Add pasta to the sauce a little at a time until all the pasta is coated. Serve and garnish with grated parmesan and fresh parsley.