Creamy Whole Wheat Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Sauce
Indulge in a luscious and flavorful pasta dish that marries the robust taste of whole wheat penne with a creamy vodka-infused tomato sauce. This dish features a medley of aromatic vegetables—onions, garlic, celery, and carrot—simmered to perfection and combined with fresh basil and crushed tomatoes. The addition of vodka not only enhances the richness of the sauce but also imparts a delightful kick that will tantalize your taste buds. Finished with a swirl of heavy cream and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this satisfying dish is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, making it a must-try for pasta lovers.
6
Servings
575
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
1/2 cup (None)
Finely chopped onion
1 cup (None)
Garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 (None)
Finely chopped celery
1/2 cup (None)
Finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup (None)
Fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
5 (None)
Crushed tomatoes
64 ounces (2 cans) (None)
Bay leaves
2 (None)
Butter
3 tablespoons (None)
Vodka
1 cup (None)
Heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (At room temperature)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (None)
Whole wheat penne
1 pound (None)
Salt
To taste (None)
Pepper
To taste (None)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion, garlic, celery, and carrot. Sauté the mixture until the vegetables are tender, approximately 6-8 minutes.
2
Stir in the fresh basil, crushed tomatoes, and bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the sauce simmer for 1 hour, allowing all the flavors to meld together. After an hour, stir in the butter and remove the bay leaves.
3
Working in batches, carefully process the sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy.
4
Return the sauce to the saucepan, and add the vodka. Simmer over low heat for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, continuing to simmer until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is well blended.
5
While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl.
6
Pour the creamy vodka sauce over the cooked penne and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
14g
Protein
250mg
Sodium
30mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this pasta dish?
The dish is called Creamy Whole Wheat Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are 575 calories per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving contains 14g of protein.
What type of pasta is specifically recommended?
The recipe calls for one pound of whole wheat penne.
How much sodium is in this dish?
The dish contains 250mg of sodium per serving.
What is the cholesterol content per serving?
The cholesterol content is 30mg per serving.
How long should the sauce simmer initially?
The sauce should simmer covered on low heat for 1 hour.
When should the vodka be added to the sauce?
Add the vodka after the sauce has been blended and returned to the saucepan.
How long does the sauce simmer after adding the vodka?
It should simmer for an additional 30 minutes to reduce and thicken.
What vegetables are used in the base of the sauce?
The base uses finely chopped onion, garlic, celery, and carrot.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of olive oil.
Should the heavy whipping cream be cold?
No, the heavy whipping cream should be at room temperature.
What kind of cheese is used in the sauce?
Grated Parmesan cheese is used.
How many cans of crushed tomatoes are needed?
You need 64 ounces, which is equivalent to 2 cans of crushed tomatoes.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients and tags, this recipe is vegetarian.
What is the role of the blender in this recipe?
The blender is used to process the simmered sauce until it is smooth and creamy.
When do you remove the bay leaves?
Remove the bay leaves after the first hour of simmering, just before blending the sauce.
How long should I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the vegetables for approximately 6-8 minutes until tender.
What herbs are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses fresh basil leaves and bay leaves.
How much vodka is included in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of vodka.
How much butter is added to the sauce?
3 tablespoons of butter are stirred into the sauce after the first hour of simmering.
To what texture should the pasta be cooked?
The penne should be cooked until al dente according to package instructions.
What is the main category of this dish?
The dish is categorized under Penne.
Is the garlic chopped or whole?
The recipe calls for 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
What are the suggested garnishes?
It can be garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
How much onion is needed for the sauce?
The recipe requires 1 cup of finely chopped onion.
How much celery and carrot should be used?
Use 1/2 cup of finely chopped celery and 1/2 cup of finely chopped carrot.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include pasta, whole wheat, vodka sauce, creamy, italian, vegetarian, dinner, and comfort food.
How should the sauce and pasta be combined?
Pour the creamy vodka sauce over the cooked penne and toss gently to combine.