Additional Coverage:
- I tried Ina Garten’s penne alla vodka. It’s one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made. (businessinsider.com)
Ina Garten’s Penne Alla Vodka: A Delicious Pasta Worth the Wait
Ina Garten’s pasta recipes have long been favorites for home cooks, and her penne alla vodka is no exception. This dish, inspired by one of Garten’s beloved meals at Nick & Toni’s restaurant in East Hampton, has quickly earned a permanent spot among the best of the Barefoot Contessa’s creations.
What sets Garten’s penne alla vodka apart is her unique method of roasting the tomato sauce in the oven, which infuses the dish with rich, layered flavors. While the sauce requires 90 minutes in the oven, the overall preparation is straightforward, making it ideal for those who want a comforting yet impressive meal.
Ingredients for Four:
- ¾ pound penne pasta (Garten recommends DeCecco)
- 2 ½ cups chopped yellow onions
- 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup good olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano, plus extra for garnish
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
The cooking process begins with sautéing onions in olive oil until translucent, then adding garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano for a brief sauté. Vodka is then simmered with the mixture until reduced by half. Next, the drained tomatoes are crushed by hand and combined with salt and pepper before the sauce is covered and baked in the oven.
Once the sauce finishes roasting, it’s blended until smooth and returned to the pot, where fresh oregano and heavy cream are stirred in. The sauce simmers for an additional 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Meanwhile, penne pasta is cooked al dente and then tossed into the sauce to finish cooking for a couple of minutes. Parmesan cheese is stirred in at the end, enriching the creamy texture.
The resulting dish boasts a vibrant, inviting color and a smooth, creamy sauce that’s not overly heavy. The slow roasting technique adds depth that rivals even the well-known vodka pastas from top Los Angeles restaurants.
Ina Garten’s penne alla vodka is a perfect choice for those seeking a sophisticated pasta that impresses both in flavor and presentation. While it demands some time in the oven, the ease of preparation and exceptional taste make it a worthwhile addition to any weeknight or special occasion menu.
Read More About This Story:
- I tried Ina Garten’s penne alla vodka. It’s one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever made. (businessinsider.com)