Imagine twirling your fork into a creamy, luxurious pasta dish that looks like it came straight from an upscale Italian restaurant - but you made it in your own kitchen! This Shrimp Penne Alla Vodka is not just a meal, it's a culinary experience that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece. With a perfect balance of tender shrimp, velvety vodka sauce, and al dente pasta, this recipe will have your dinner guests wondering if you secretly trained in a professional kitchen.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup vodka
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, pour in the tomato sauce and vodka. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off.
- Stir in the heavy cream and mix until the sauce is smooth and has a uniform pink color. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
- Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet and gently fold them into the pasta and sauce.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil leaves. Optional: sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure a perfect sear and prevent steaming
- Use fresh garlic for maximum flavor - avoid pre-minced garlic from jars
- Don't rush the sauce - let it simmer to develop rich, complex flavors
- Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain the ideal texture
- Reserve a little pasta water in case you need to adjust sauce consistency
- Use good quality vodka - it makes a difference in the final sauce flavor
- Fresh basil is key for that final burst of aromatic freshness
- For extra richness, consider adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese at serving
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 220mg
