Vodka Cream Penne

When you want both red and cream sauce pasta...

I love pasta with red tomato based sauce but I also adore cream based sauces like Alfredo or basil cream...Vodka cream is excellent for when you want both at the same time.

Here’s my version...I use ground beef in mine because I have a man who has to have meat.

1 pound ground beef

1/2 red onion, diced fine

2-3 cloves minced garlic

1 can tomato sauce, reg size

1 small can tomato sauce with basil & garlic

1 small can tomato sauce

1 can stewed tomatoes, reg size

1/2 cup Vodka

1-2 tablespoons sugar (just to cut acid)

1 teaspoon garlic pepper seasoning

2 teaspoons salt free garlic herb seasoning

1 tablespoon jarred pesto

1 cup heavy cream

1-2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups quick cooking penne or favorite pasta

salt & pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded

Mozzarella cheese to top

Brown beef with onions then add garlic toward end of browning process so as not to burn the garlic. Turn off heat. Drain grease. Add tomatoes, sauces, tomato paste and vodka (be sure the heat is off at this point) stirring as you go. Turn heat back in the medium/medium high. Add seasonings and broth and cook for about 5 minute. Add cream then stir to mix well. Add dry pasta and stir. Continue to cook and stir until pasta is al dente. Add cheese then stir gently, add salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat and let sit for about 10 minutes to thicken prior to serving.

You may need more or less broth if your sauce is too thick once adding pasta. If you prefer to cook pasta separately then you may not need as much broth and can use pasta water instead of broth.

Spoon into bowl or plate and top with mozzarella cheese. Serve with your favorite bread, salad and nice glass of wine if ya like!