Imagine a pasta dish from Italian cuisine that’s filled with a comforting taste experience through a creamy, rich tomato sauce that gives a subtle kick from the vodka, adding a layer of intriguing taste to your taste buds. The salty and crispy texture of the prosciutto serves as a canvas to capture every drop of this creamy velvety sauce and give you a warm and rich experience.

Best part? This easy pasta recipe takes about 30-40 minutes total time to make, from chopping your ingredients to finishing it so that you can enjoy every single last drop. Whether it’s for a romantic date night or for those busy after-work evenings, this easy pasta dinner will always be a crowd pleaser.

How to Make Homemade Penne Alla Vodka with Prosciutto

As this recipe has simple ingredients, you can play around with the different tastes. Here’s what you need for this classic pasta dish:

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
4 oz prosciutto, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup vodka
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Alternative Ingredients

Pasta – Gluten-free penne, whole wheat penne, or your favorite pasta
Prosciutto – Pancetta, bacon, or for a vegetarian option, smoked tofu or a pinch of smoked paprika
Olive oil – Avocado oil, butter
Onion – Shallots, leek (white part only)
Fresh garlic – Garlic powder (1/2 tsp as a substitute for 2 cloves)
Vodka – White wine, a mix of water with a squeeze of lemon juice
Crushed tomatoes – Fresh ripe tomatoes (blended), tomato passata (tomato paste)
Heavy cream – Full-fat coconut milk, cashew cream (for a vegan option), heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese – Nutritional yeast (for a vegan option), Pecorino Romano (for a sharper taste)
Fresh basil – Dried basil (1 tsp as a substitute for 2 tsp fresh), fresh spinach, fresh oregano

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salt water to a boil over medium-high – once boiling, add your pasta and cook it until al dente – according to the package’s instructions. Once done, drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.

Important: Save some pasta water!

Step 2: Take a large skillet and heat it with olive oil over medium heat, then add chopped prosciutto and sauté prosciutto until it begins to get crispy (perfect time is about 3-4 minutes); once done, remove it from the skillet and set aside – if you like to remove the extra fat, place a napkin on a plate before adding the crispy pieces.

Step 3: Use the same skillet and add chopped onion to it; cook it until it’s soft (about 5 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook everything until the garlic gets fragrant.

Step 4: To deglaze with vodka, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the button – allow everything to simmer until it reduces by half (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 5: Stir in crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste, then let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to meld the flavors.

Step 6: Decrease the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy – once done, add the prosciutto back into the skillet.

Step 7: Add the cooked penne to the sauce and toss it well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated – if the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to it.

Lastly, sprinkle it with chopped fresh basil and some extra Parmesan cheese before enjoying it.

Expert Tips

A great alternative to vodka in this vodka sauce recipe is white wine or a lemon juice-water mixture to get the same sharpness and slight tang.
For a vegetarian version, skip the heavy cream and prosciutto and use red peppers or red pepper flakes for an extra flavor kick.
Allow your tomato sauce to simmer on low heat for a longer period if time allows. This slow simmering process helps to develop a richer, more concentrated flavor in the sauce.
If your sauce tastes too acidic, add a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. This little trick can make a big difference in the final taste of your sauce.

What to Serve with Penne Alla Vodka with Prosciutto for a Delicious Dinner Recipe

Here are some great options on the best pairing options:

Appetizers

Garlic bread
Bruschetta
Caprese salad skewers
Antipasto platter

Salads

Caesar salad
Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette
Spinach salad with balsamic dressing
Beet and goat cheese salad

Vegetables

Roasted asparagus
Sautéed spinach or kale
Grilled zucchini and squash
Roasted brussels sprouts with bacon

Breads

Focaccia
Ciabatta
Garlic knots
Rosemary breadsticks

Proteins

Grilled chicken breast
Seared scallops
Baked salmon with lemon butter
Roast pork tenderloin

Desserts

Tiramisu
Lemon sorbet
Panna cotta with berry compote
Chocolate lava cake

Wines

Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc
Prosecco

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for some answers? Here are some answers!

What is Penne Alla Vodka with Prosciutto?

Penne alla Vodka with Prosciutto is a rich and creamy Italian pasta dish that combines penne pasta with a delicious tomato and vodka sauce, enhanced with an addition of crispy prosciutto for a salty, savory depth.

Can I make Penne Alla Vodka without alcohol?

Yes! If you’re not a fan of the Vodka glaze, you can substitute it with either a mixture of water and a squeeze of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to still get that slight tang you know from the vodka sauce.

What are the Best Side Dishes to Serve with Penne Alla Vodka?

For a great side dish that will complement the richness of your pasta dish, you can use either a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, bruschetta, or a light antipasto platter.

How can I store and reheat leftovers of Penne Alla Vodka with Prosciutto?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, reheat it gently on the stove over low heat – just add a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, you can also microwave it to reheat it, but you may miss out on some of the flavors then.