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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.
Ingredients
- 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
Nutrition
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!
Oh my. This was so good. I followed recipe as posted and added 4 oz. port chorizo to the mix and it was awesome. We will make this again
Hey Robin,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have the best week. xTieghan
Can you substitute the heavy cream for a plant based milk?
Hey Gina,
Totally, that will work well for you! Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. I hope you love it! xTieghan
Can I use this recipe and add boneless skinless chicken breasts?
Hi Heather,
Yes, you could do that. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can I use this recipe but add chicken breasts?
Hey Heather,
Sure that would work. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can you make this without a crockpot?
Hey Sydney,
Sure, you could do this on the stove top and allow to simmer for 2-3 hours. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Outstanding! I made this today and we had it with penne and grilled lamb chops. We will definitely do this again.
Thank you so much Heather! xTieghan
Looking forward to making this As it sounds fabulous… however… I’m wondering what the simmer timing would be for the sauce if I chose not to transfer to a crock pot but rather leave it on low in the Dutch oven on the stovetop, (less large pots to wash, etc). Have you tried it without the crock pot?
Hey Dawn,
I would simmer on low for about 3 hours. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Did you use a certain flavor of vodka or how did you know which to pick out?
Reminds me of the Alla Vodka from restaurants at home in NY. My German boyfriend is obsessed and I make it every other week. Thank you!!!!
I love that! Thank you so much for trying this one, Ella! xTieghan
If you are not happy with vodka in a recipe, I have used veggie broth.
Great! Thank you Jude! xTieghan
Hi what is a subsitute for vodka. Please let me know. Thanks.
Hi,
You can use water. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
~ I want everyone to know that I have made this tweaked/not tweaked more than a few times and simply stated, I do love it.
I am so glad you do! Thank you Jude! xTieghan
Will be making this for my family this Friday, I can’t wait to try it.
I hope you all love this! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
I commented before on my blender mishap (Nov 2018). For some reason replying to you on there was not working. So, new post—and I just wanted to say, I got an immersion blender for Xmas. Works perfectly. My kids ask me to make this about every 10-12 days. It’s wonderful. I have also passed this along to many friends!!
That is so amazing! And I am so glad you have been loving this recipe, Maria! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I made this today but with tortellini. Amazing recipe! Except, I followed your Instagram post (1/2 cup vodka and 1/2 cup cream). Everything else stayed the same. Ohhhh and Pomi is the best brand for tomatoes. Love love! Thank you!!!
Thank you so much Svetiana! I am so glad this turned out so amazing for you! xTieghan
Any thoughts on adding some protein to this? Maybe some chicken?
Hey Andie! Chicken is a delicious addition to this pasta. I would use roasted chicken with a simple Italian seasoning blend and some olive oil. That will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan