Penne Alla Vodka With Bacon
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and delicious pasta dinner, try our penne alla vodka recipe made with bacon! This recipe yields incredible flavor in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
- ½ pound penne pasta
- 5 ounces thick cut bacon diced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ small yellow onion minced
- 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 fluid ounce vodka
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ medium lemon juiced
- 1 pinch fine sea salt
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the penne and cook until al dente according to package directions.
- In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon until it's almost crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to brown evenly and prevent sticking.
- Next, add the garlic and onion to the frying pan. Sauté until fragrant and the onions have begun to soften, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat to medium-low and deglaze the pan with vodka. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated parmesan cheese, then simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly, 5 minutes or so. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat as necessary so the sauce doesn’t begin to boil.
- When the sauce has thickened, turn heat to low. Season with a light squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust as needed.
- When the pasta is done cooking, reserve a few tablespoons of pasta water before draining. Then, add the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat well, adding a splash or two of pasta water to help the sauce cling.
- Serve hot, topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Bacon vs. pancetta: Traditional penne alla vodka is made with pancetta, but we make it with bacon since it's easy to find at any grocery store. You can absolutely use pancetta instead if you wish!
Seasoning the sauce: A light squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a pinch of salt makes the flavors pop in the sauce. You don't need much to make a difference. Taste the sauce before adding, then after, and notice how it changes! If it's too acidic, add more salt. If it's too salty, add more lemon juice.
Serving suggestions: We love to serve penne alla vodka with fresh Italian bread for sopping up the extra sauce! You can also serve it with a side salad, garlic bread, or bruschetta.
Storing and reheating: Store leftover penne alla vodka in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat single servings in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 935kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 810mg | Potassium: 1045mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 5mg
