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–+ servings

Penne alla Vodka Recipe with Pancetta

PIATTO RECIPES
Here, we show our Penne alla Vodka recipe with pancetta. Creamy and decadent, this is an unforgettable dish!
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 pan or skillet large
  • 1 Large Pot for cooking the pasta

Ingredients
 
 

  • 18 oz tomato purée or 'passata'
  • .4 cups heavy cream
  • 7 oz pancetta cut into strips
  • 1 small onion yellow or red; minced
  • 2 shots vodka
  • 1 tbsp olive oil if needed
  • 1 pinch fine salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp red chili pepper (optional) or to taste
  • 11 oz penne or rigatoni

Instructions
 

Prep the Ingredients

  • Mince the onion.
    1 small onion
  • Slice the pancetta into strips.
    7 oz pancetta
  • If using whole canned tomatoes for the tomato purée, open each one up and discard the water and seeds. Then blend the pulp to a smooth purée.

Fry the Pancetta

  • Fry the pancetta over medium heat in a dry pan until golden. If the pancetta you are using gives off too little fat, you can add a tbsp of olive oil before adding the onion.
    1 tbsp olive oil
  • Add half of the vodka to deglaze the pan and release the pancetta fat from the bottom of the pan so it can flavor our sauce.
    2 shots vodka

Sauté the Onions

  • Add the minced onions and dry chili pepper to taste (optional). We add about a pinch. Cook the onions over low heat under they are tender and translucent.
    ¼ tsp red chili pepper
  • While the onions cook, add the pasta to salted, boiling water. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions for 'al dente' pasta.
    11 oz penne

Add the Tomatoes, Cream and More Vodka

  • Once the onions are tender and translucent, it’s time to add the sweet tomato sauce.
    18 oz tomato purée
  • Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream
    .4 cups heavy cream
  • .. and the vodka!
  • Cook for a few minutes to blend and heat the ingredients.
    Mix the sauce somewhat vigorously right before adding the cooked pasta. Why? We have no emulsifiers in this. Mixing vigorously is one way to blend the cream, bacon grease and tomato into a smooth sauce for the final dish. Salt to taste.
    1 pinch fine salt

Finish with Penne

  • Add the drained pasta (cooked to al dente) and quickly combine everything together. Serve!
  • Buon appetito!

Video

Keyword meat lover, pasta
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