Do you love noodles? Do you love vodka? Do you want to drink vodka and eat it too? If the answer is yes to any of the above, this penne alla vodka is for you.
Let’s back up a bit. Just what exactly is penne alla vodka? It’s pink, it’s pretty, and it really does have vodka in it. It’s little bit retro (it was super popular in the 70s and 80s) and something you almost always see at classic old school Italian American pasta places.
Vodka sauce is rich, luscious, and is one of the best homemade pasta sauces you’ll ever learn to make. If you’ve only ever had Bertolli vodka sauce, you’re in for a treat.
Vodka sauce, like so many beloved foods, has somewhat of a murky beginning. Some people say that it’s completely Italian American and some say it originated in Bologna, Italy. From what I can tell, according to the internet anyway, penne alla vodka became peak popular in America, and in fact, it’s kind of trending right now, with Gigi Hadid’s vodka sauce being all over Instagram. I love vodka sauce, so I’m here for it!
Is vodka sauce vegetarian?
Most vodka sauce recipes out there are vegetarian. This recipe has pancetta (Italian cured pork belly) in it but you can leave it out to make a vegetarian vodka sauce.
Can you make vodka sauce without vodka?
Yes, you can absolutely make vodka sauce without vodka. Will it still technically be vodka sauce? No, but it will still taste pretty close. To substitute vodka in vodka sauce, add a squeeze of lemon and some extra pepper.
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