Description
Shrimp Penne alla Vodka is a flavorful Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring succulent shrimp cooked in a rich tomato and vodka sauce, finished with creamy heavydouble cream. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for a comforting yet sophisticated meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Seafood
- 450g / 1 lbs shrimp, cleaned and deveined
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1/2 small onion
- 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp fresh basil and oregano combined (can use dry herbs)
Pantry & Liquids
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 70ml / 1/4 cup vodka
- 400g / 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes/tomato passata
- 70ml / 1/4 cup heavy/double cream
Pasta
- 500g / 1 lbs penne (or any short pasta)
Instructions
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp with a pinch of salt and cook for 1 minute on each side until they turn pink. Remove the shrimp to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pan, add finely chopped onion and cook on low for 7-10 minutes until soft and translucent. Add chopped fresh herbs and minced garlic; cook while stirring for one minute to release flavors.
- Add Vodka: Pour in vodka and stir continuously, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits, and cook for 1 minute to reduce slightly.
- Prepare Tomato Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes to the pan, stir to combine, then add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until sauce changes from bright red to orange.
- Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Finish the Dish: Once the sauce is done, add heavy cream and stir to combine. Return the cooked shrimp along with any accumulated juices, then add cooked pasta. Gently toss everything together, season with salt if needed, and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use fresh herbs and high-quality vodka.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes during cooking.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup / 250g
- Calories: 603 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 888 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 86 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 285 mg
