Name: Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 500g / 1 lb penne or ziti (rigatoni also works); 2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (for pasta cooking water); 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil; 1/2 small onion, finely diced; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1/2 cup (140g / 4.5 oz) tomato paste (UK: tomato puree); 1 1/4 cups heavy / thickened cream (UK: double cream); 1/3 cup vodka (or chicken stock/broth for alcohol free); 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional); 3/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (reduce by half if using table salt); Pinch black pepper; 50g / 1 loosely packed cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving; 1/2 cup plus reserved pasta cooking water; 2 tsp parsley, finely chopped (optional)

If you’re craving a pasta dish that’s indulgently rich, silky smooth, and bursting with flavor, then this Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love this because it feels fancy but comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests without breaking a sweat. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every delicious detail so you can nail it in your kitchen too!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple, pantry-friendly ingredients: You likely have most of these in your kitchen, making it a go-to comfort food anytime.
Rich and creamy with a kick: The vodka adds a subtle depth that transforms your usual creamy pasta into something special.
Quick to make: From start to finish, you’re looking at about 20 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Crowd-pleaser: My family goes crazy for this, and I bet yours will too!

A white bowl filled with about two layers of penne pasta coated in an orange creamy sauce, with the pasta arranged neatly inside the bowl. The top layer is sprinkled with small bits of grated white cheese, tiny pieces of red flakes, and a few small green herb leaves. A silver spoon is placed resting inside the bowl on the right side. The bowl sits on a beige cloth with a white marbled surface below. In the blurred background, another bowl with the same pasta is visible, along with a partial view of a white bottle with blue and red writing. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta, creamy pasta with vodka, quick vodka pasta recipe, easy penne pasta, indulgent dinner ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the great things about this Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe is how straightforward the ingredient list is — and why each one plays a crucial role. Using quality tomato paste and good parmesan really elevates the sauce, so don’t skimp there!

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked penne pasta, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of vibrant red tomato paste, a small white ceramic bowl of thick creamy double cream, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vodka, a small white ceramic bowl of golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, a small white ceramic bowl of freshly ground black pepper, a few garlic cloves with papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl of finely diced white onion, a small white ceramic bowl of finely chopped fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl holding a loosely packed cup of freshly grated pale yellow parmesan cheese placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta, creamy pasta with vodka, quick vodka pasta recipe, easy penne pasta, indulgent dinner ideas

Penne or Ziti (or Rigatoni): The ridges and hollow shapes hold the sauce beautifully, making every bite deliciously saucy.
Cooking Salt / Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water and enhancing overall flavor.
Olive Oil: A bit of richness and the perfect base for softening the onion and garlic.
Small Onion: Finely diced to almost melt into the sauce; smaller dice helps avoid overpowering crunchy bits.
Garlic Cloves: Minced finely — I like to use fresh garlic for that bright flavor.
Tomato Paste (Tomato Puree in the UK): This delivers concentrated tomato goodness and natural sweetness.
Heavy / Thickened Cream (Double Cream in the UK): This makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and smooth.
Vodka (or Chicken Stock for alcohol-free): Adds unexpected depth without tasting boozy — I learned this from a friend who swears by adding a splash.
Red Pepper Flakes: Totally optional but great if you want a little heat behind the creaminess.
Salt and Black Pepper: To season the sauce just right.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is best — it melts into the sauce, adding nuttiness and umami.
Pasta Cooking Water: Starchy and perfect for loosening up the sauce without watering down flavor.
Parsley (Optional): A sprinkle brightens up the dish beautifully for serving.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how adaptable this Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe is — you can tweak it to fit whatever mood you’re in or the ingredients you’ve got on hand. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch it up.

Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken stock for the vodka and load up on mushrooms or roasted veggies for extra heartiness.
Spicy Kick: I like adding extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne when I’m craving something bold; my family insists it’s the best way.
Cheese Boost: Stir in a little cream cheese or mascarpone along with the parmesan for a richer, silkier sauce that’s seriously indulgent.
Protein Addition: Throw in grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or crispy pancetta for a meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.

How to Make Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta Perfectly

Start by bringing a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the cooking salt — this is your secret seasoning step that’ll make the pasta flavorful inside and out. Cook the penne or ziti until just al dente, usually around 10 minutes, but check the package instructions. Remember to reserve about half a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining — it’s pure magic for your sauce!

Step 2: Build Your Flavor Base

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Toss in the finely diced onion and sauté until it’s softened and translucent — less than 5 minutes should do. Then add the minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, careful not to burn it (burnt garlic ruins the party!).

Step 3: Cook Tomato Paste for Depth

Now, add the tomato paste and stir it into the onion and garlic. This part is key — cook the paste for about 3-5 minutes, stirring often. This step lifts the flavor, cutting out any raw bitterness and giving your sauce that rich, rounded tomato taste I absolutely adore.

Step 4: Add Vodka and Cream

Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for a couple of minutes to cook off the alcohol. You’ll notice the sauce deepening in flavor here. Then stir in the heavy cream along with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring it all to a gentle simmer, letting everything meld into a luscious, creamy sauce that’s to die for.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained pasta directly into the sauce pan and toss gently so every piece is coated. Splash in some of that reserved pasta water if the sauce feels too thick — this makes it silky and helps cling to the pasta better. Finally, stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Spoon the pasta onto plates and sprinkle with a bit of chopped parsley and extra parmesan if you like. I love this fresh pop of color and brightness, especially when you’ve just served a rich dish like this. Now, dig in and savor every creamy, savory bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe

Reserve Pasta Water: I can’t stress this enough—those few tablespoons of starchy water help achieve the perfect creamy texture without watering down your sauce.
Cook Tomato Paste Thoroughly: I discovered that giving the tomato paste time to “toast” in the pan transforms the sauce, taking it from ordinary to restaurant-quality.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese just doesn’t melt the same way; fresh parmesan adds a beautiful depth and creamy finish.
Don’t Skip Simmering After Adding Vodka: This cooks off the alcohol and lets the unique flavor settle in without overwhelming the sauce.

How to Serve Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with a single layer of penne pasta coated in a creamy orange sauce, with a small pile of shredded white cheese sprinkled in the center and a few red pepper flakes scattered on top; a silver spoon is partially stirring the pasta on the left side of the bowl, all set on a white marbled surface with a blurred drink bottle in the background, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta, creamy pasta with vodka, quick vodka pasta recipe, easy penne pasta, indulgent dinner ideas

Garnishes

I always top this creamy vodka pasta with freshly chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of extra parmesan. The parsley adds a lovely herbal brightness, cutting through the richness just a bit, and that extra cheese? Well, more cheese is never a bad idea in my book.

Side Dishes

For sides, I like a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the creaminess, or some garlic bread to soak up every last drop of sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli also pair beautifully and add a nice contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, I’ve served this pasta in individual ramekins topped with a little broiled parmesan crust, which always gets compliments. Or, toss in sautéed shrimp or pancetta for a pattern of flavors that wows your guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When I have leftovers (which doesn’t last long!), I store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The sauce thickens as it chills, so before reheating, I add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up and bring back that silky texture.

Freezing

Freezing Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe is doable, but I found the texture changes slightly once frozen and thawed. If you do freeze it, reheat gently with some added cream or broth to revive the sauce’s smoothness. Honestly, it’s best fresh, but leftovers still satisfy without a problem.

Reheating

I recommend reheating on the stovetop over low heat so you can stir gently and avoid curdling. Adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water helps restore creaminess. Microwave works too, but keep the intervals short and stir well between.

FAQs

Can I skip the vodka in the Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! If you prefer to avoid alcohol, substitute the vodka with chicken stock or vegetable broth. While you won’t get the subtle floral notes vodka adds, the sauce remains deliciously creamy and flavorful.
What pasta is best for this recipe?

Penne and ziti are classic choices because their hollow shapes and ridges hold the creamy sauce so well. Rigatoni is another favorite I’ve used that’s equally fantastic. However, any medium tube pasta you love will work great.
How do I prevent the cream from curdling?

Keep the heat moderate and avoid boiling the cream too vigorously. Stir it in gently and let the sauce simmer softly to maintain that luscious, smooth texture.
Can I make this recipe vegan?

You’d need to substitute the cream with a plant-based alternative like coconut cream or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will differ, but it can still be delicious with some tweaking.
How spicy is this dish?

It’s generally mild, with just a hint of warmth from optional red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less chili flakes, or omit them entirely if you prefer no spice.

Final Thoughts

When I first tried this Creamy Vodka Penne Pasta Recipe, I was hooked instantly — it strikes the perfect balance of comfort food and something a bit elevated. It’s easy enough to pull off any night but special enough that my family asks for it over and over. If you’re looking to add a versatile, crowd-pleasing pasta to your rotation, give this one a try. I promise you’ll love how creamy, flavorful, and downright irresistible it turns out.