Creamy Tomato Penne alla Vodka

A creamy tomato sauce with crushed red chili and fresh rosemary, tossed with penne and ready in 20 minutes. Use vodka, or swap in gin — the botanical notes make it even better.

📝 Ingredients

• 12 ounces dried penne, ziti or other tubular shaped pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion or shallot
• 1/2 cup plain vodka (or gin)
• 1 1/4 cups tomato passata or puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper (to your taste)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (plus more for garnish)
• Salt
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Bring 5-6 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot along with 3 tablespoons salt. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 10 minutes.
2. 2Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-high heat in a wide pan large enough to hold the pasta. Add the onion and cook 1 minute, or until softened. Pour in the gin and lower the heat to medium-low. Gently simmer for 3 minutes.
3. 3Add the tomatoes, cream, red pepper, rosemary and ½ teaspoon salt. Simmer for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
4. 4When the pasta is done, drain it and add to the pan. Reduce heat to low, add the cheese and stir until pasta is coated with the sauce. Serve with additional cheese and rosemary on top.