Penne alla Vodka

This is going to be another Grey's Anatomy-less Thursday for me and my friends, Tamara, Chelsea, and Emily.  Most of us are going home for the weekend and so we can't get together for our traditional dinner night.  This was an unbearable thought for us and so we decided to go crazy and get together on a Tuesday instead.

Whenever we make dinner we end up talking about other dinners we can make.  Penne alla Vodka has been a proposed option for some time and so we decided to finally get it together for tonight.  This dish is, in my opinion, the perfect combo of comfort and class.  It is super easy and yet sounds super fancy.  Also, it is just plain delicious!

Penne all Vodka (adapted from Picky Photo)

Such Cefs :)

Another reason to make this dish...

Gorgeous Sauce!

The perfect meal!

Ingredients:
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 12 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp garlic powder (honestly we didn't measure)
1/2 cup vodka
1/3 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup parmesan (plus more for topping)
1 tsp all purpose seasoning
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 lb of your favorite penne, cooked al dente

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, heat both cans of tomatoes, garlic powder, all purpose seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Let simmer for 5-6 minutes.  Add the 1/2 cup of vodka and simmer for 20 minutes.  Stir every once in a while.  Add cream, butter and parmesan and stir to combine.  Let simmer for a couple minutes.
2.  Cook pasta according to directions and drain.  Serve with sauce and top with parmesan cheese.
Enjoy :)

Note: if you want to get really fancy, cook pasta just shy of al dente and then let the drained pasta sit in the sauce for a few minutes.  Another option, reserve some pasta cooking water and add to the sauce to thin it if desired.