Penne alla Vodka

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
   Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Prepare the base sauce
   While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes and vodka
   Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Carefully add the vodka (it may flame briefly if your pan is very hot), reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes to allow the alcohol to cook off and flavors to develop.
4. Create the creamy sauce
   Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce for a silky texture.
5. Combine with pasta
   Add the drained pasta directly to the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
6. Finish with cheese and herbs
   Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue to toss until the cheese is melted and the pasta is well coated.