Penne Alla Vodka-The Best

It is pasta party season. Save yourself some money and make the pasta. This is one of the best penne alla vodka recipes out there. I made 4 pounds of it last night and had rave reviews.

Ingredients:
16 oz penne-gluten free or not
35 oz Italian tomatoes
olive oil-cover bottom of pan
1 tbsp garlic minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of black pepper to taste
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter or olive oil-I used olive oil and not that much
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Prepare penne per package instructions. Drain pasta and set aside.

2. While pasta cooks, add Italian tomatoes (and their liquid) to a food processor or Vitamix and pulse until sauce is smooth. Set aside.

3. Add extra-virgin olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic to skillet and cook until garlic is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Slowly pour tomato sauce into skillet, stirring to incorporate with the oil. Add red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Let sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add vodka to tomato sauce and stir. Reduce heat to a simmer and let cook for about 10 minutes.

6. Add butter or olive oil to the sauce and stir until melted.
7. Pour in heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stirring sauce well.
8. Fold in cooked penne pasta. If desired, continue to cook pasta for another 5 minutes so sauce clings to pasta.
9. Serve pasta immediately with extra parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley as a garnish.