Penne with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 vidalia onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic diced
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 2 28- oz cans San Marzano tomatoes
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • ¾ lb penne pasta
  • 4 tbsp fresh oregano
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated plus more more serving
  • 1 lb fresh shrimp peeled and (optional for main course)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven or large oven proof saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and dried oregano and cook for 1 minute more. Add the vodka and continue cooking until the mixture is reduced by half.
  • Crush the tomatoes in a bowl with your hands then add them to the pan. Add salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cover with a tight fitting lid and place in the oven for 1 ½ hours . Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Blend the tomato mixture with an immersion blender in the pan until the sauce is a smooth consistency, or in a blender in batches and return to the pan.
  • Return the pan to the stove and reheat the sauce. Add 2 tbsp fresh oregano and the heavy cream to make the sauce a creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes. Toss the pasta into the sauce and cook for 5 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir in Parmesan.
  • Serve with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh oregano

Notes

For a main course: toss the shrimp with a little olive oil and grill. Add to the top when serving or mix into the penne when finished. Makes 4 main course servings.