Penne alla Vodka – Perfection In A Dish

Penne Alla Vodka. How can a dish taste so good and be so easy to make? Nothing says comfort like pasta does. It’s a great dish that can be enjoyed in so many different ways.

This penne alla vodka is one of those dishes that, if it’s not already, should be one of your favorites and in your culinary rotation.

This dish contains cream sauce mixed with tomato sauce, a very unusual combination in Italian cooking, in addition to penne pasta.

And vodka is added to the beautiful sauce to create this fantastic dish, the second most popular pasta dish besides Ragu alla Bolognese. 

In this Article

Penne alla Vodka became very popular in Italy and the United States around the 1980s. 

It became an icon of the fashionable cuisine of the time. It remains popular to this day in Italian-American cuisine. 

However, the exact origins of penne alla vodka are unclear. Its history is disputed among Italian and New York City chefs as to which country invented Penne alla Vodka.

In the 1980s, two individuals in New York City claimed they had invented the recipe.

A Columbia University student, James Doty, claimed to have made the first plate of pasta.

The second claim comes from Chef Luigi Franzese of Orsini Restaurant. He originally called it Penne alla Russa – Penne alla Russian – because he used vodka to thin the sauce. 

On the other side of the ocean, in Bologna and Rome, Italy, this dish was introduced around 1970 or 1980. 

Dante restaurant in Bologna claims to be the first to invent this dish,

However, in Rome, a  Roman chef claims that he created this dish upon the request of a vodka company to introduce vodka to the Italian public.

Today you will see this dish practically on every American restaurant menu and rarely on menus in Italy restaurants. 

Can penne alla vodka get you drunk?

No, you cant. As you cook the vodka with the sauce, the alcohol evaporates, leaving behind an excellent taste.

If you have children, do not worry about the alcohol content as it evaporates in the cooking process.

Why San Marzano Tomatoes?

San Marzano is a type of plum tomato. Longer and thinner than your typical plum tomato. Vibrant red in color and rich in flavor.

They also have fewer seeds than your regular plum tomatoes.

Besides having fewer seeds, they have less acidity than other tomatoes. Idyllic for Italian cuisine.

San Marzano tomatoes are regulated and certified authentic by an independent party, making them a bit more pricey than your regular tomatoes.

However, once you cook with them, there is no going back.

Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions to create this excellent Penne with vodka sauce.

I must say it is surprisingly easy to make and quite addictive. A large platter was all gone before we knew it.

There are so many recipes for Penne Alla Vodka that it can get pretty confusing. This is my adaptation; it is easy and tasty.

Have all the ingredients ready when you start boiling the water, as this recipe will go fast, and by the time the pasta is ready, your sauce will be prepared too.

• Start with the pasta water. Add salt and bring a large pot to a full boil. Cook the penne pasta according to al dente on the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, a large skilled must hold the cooked pasta and saute the onions with the garlic until translucent.
• Add the tomatoes and vodka gently in the middle so they will not splatter.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Simmer to let the alcohol evaporate. Add the cream and butter.
• Save a cup of the cooking water and add the pasta to the tomato vodka skillet to thin the sauce if needed it.
• Toss until all the pasta is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the cooking water.

Serve on individual pasta plates or a large platter and top with lots of Parmesan and parsley.

See! Easy, right? 

Storage and reheating instructions

If you have leftovers, I recommend placing them in a glass airtight container. The Penne alla Vodka will store well for up to three days in the refrigerator.

When ready to enjoy your leftovers, place the penne with the sauce in a large skillet to hold them well. Add two tablespoons of water and one or two tablespoons of butter and cook over medium high heat.

Please bring it to a hot and enjoyable temperature for you to enjoy it. Make sure the penne does not burn.

Serve hot with some cheese shredded over it.

Substitutes and Variations

Penne alla vodka with chicken are my son’s favorite and he makes it often. The added protein creates a rich complete meal.

Shrimp added to the sauce at the last minute also makes for a great dinner.

Italian sausage cut into small pieces or pancetta, gives that extra richness to this dish.

Like some spices? Add some crushed red pepper while preparing the sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Equipment needed to create this recipe.

Visit my Amazon Storefront for my selection of favorite kitchen essentials. I only recommend equipment that I use and love.

Originally published on August 22, 2016.