Crockpot Sun-Dried Tomato Penne Alla Vodka.

So many good things to share on this snowy Wednesday!

Thing one, this luscious Penne Alla Vodka. It’s creamy, cheesy, a little boozy flavored (but not alcoholy cause all of the vodka cooks out), SUPER EASY and DELICIOUS. The sauce is made in the crockpot, so it’s kind of perfect for those nights when all you can muster up the energy to do is boil some pasta and call it a day…aka TODAY.

I’m feeling like since it’s December, and we’re all still getting used to the cold, that nothing seems more perfect or cozier than a giant bowl of pasta, sauce and cheese. Just add some crusty bread, maybe a warm fire and call it a day…literally. I’m saying all this because it’s currently snowing like crazy out (lovin’ it) and I am currently huddled by my heater, staying all toasty warm but wishing I had a bowl of this pasta in front of me. <-truth. Anybody in the same boat or what? I hear you midwest people got some snow…are you loving it or hating it?

For me, the entire month of December should be filled with snowy days and nights. It’s just one more excuse to eat pasta, watch Christmas movies, and drink hot chocolate. Obviously.

Thing two, Monday night was spent watching my little sister, Asher perform in the town play of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child <–seriously. Not sure how my little ski town decided to put on a Harry Potter play, but they did, and it was awesome…or I mean, fun…or I mean, entertaining. Let’s just say it was hard to keep a straight face throughout the performance. None of the kids were older than ten or eleven, so as you can imagine, it’s was a little all over the place. Asher didn’t have many lines, but for one of them, she was standing in the wrong spot on stage (in the dark). The teacher literally picked her up and moved her into the spotlight all while she continued speaking…freaking hilarious. I almost wasn’t going to go because I’m slightly swamped with end of the year work, but when Asher called to ask me to come, I just could not say no. Glad I went too, because it was so fun to see Asher in the play. I’m clearly biased, but she was the best…and the cutest!

Plus, I finally got to see my younger brother, Red who’s been traveling for over a month. It was a short catch up, but I mean, at least I got to say hey to the kid, right?

This would have been the perfect dinner to have waiting for everyone at home, but the fam all decided they wanted to go out. I unfortunately had to get home to finish some things up, so I got to drive home solo in the snow storm. Luckily I’m used to the snow and have good tires. In all honesty, I have seen worse weather around here (I just don’t usually have to drive in it!), but I really enjoyed seeing all the Christmas lights in Breckenridge that seemed to highlight the falling snow. <–major dork alert.

Anyway, this penne alla vodka has been my go-to dish to make on Sunday nights and then serve the leftovers throughout the week. This dish makes a lot of sauce so it’s great the first night served over pasta, but then you could totally get creative with the leftovers. I’m talking pizza, pasta bakes, served with eggs, the options are kind of endless!

If you’re serving this to kids, don’t worry about the alcohol, it all gets burned off during cooking (first you boil the sauce, and then you cook it for a min of 4 hours!). All that you’re left with is a deliciously flavored tomato sauce.

A must do with this dish though? Top it with lots and lots of freshly grated parmesan and serve it with crusty bread for scooping up extra sauce.

SOO GOOD.

Crockpot Sun-Dried Tomato Penne Alla Vodka.

4.28 from 222 votes

6 servings

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 582kcal

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Prep15 minutes mins

Cook6 hours hrs

Total6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

This penne alla vodka has been my go-to dish to make on Sunday nights and then serve the leftovers throughout the week

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1/4 cup olive oil
• ▢ 1 sweet onion, diced
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ▢ 1 cup vodka
• ▢ 2 (28 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, I like San Marzano
• ▢ 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained (see note)
• ▢ kosher salt and pepper
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• ▢ 1 pound penne pasta
• ▢ 4 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

Instructions 

• Heat the olive oil, onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, and dried oregano in a large skillet over medium low heat. Cook, stirring often until the onion is soft and the garlic fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the vodka, raise the heat, and bring the mixture to a boil, boil 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to the bowl of your crockpot along with the tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and large pinch of salt + pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Return to the crockpot and stir in the the cream and the parmesan. Cook uncovered on high for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and boil the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain.
• Divide the pasta among plates and top with the sauce, fresh oregano and grated parmesan. Eat!

Notes

*You can use the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in place of the 1/4 cup olive oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 582kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 928mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1235IU | Vitamin C: 34.8mg | Calcium: 380mg | Iron: 5.3mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.

ps. since you already have the vodka out, may I recommend these festive Pomegranate Moscow Mules?! Happy Wednesday!