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Penne alla vodka

dclarkabal
a simple dish with tons of flavor
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Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 yellow onions chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup vodka
  • 2 28 ounce whole peeled plum tomatoes
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 pound box penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves chopped plus more for serving
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving

Instructions
 

  • preheat oven to 375°F - your baking the sauce for an hour and a half
  • Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic, dried oregano and the red pepper flakes and cook for another minute. Add the vodka and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until it is reduced by half. Using your clean hands, crush each of the plum tomatoes into the pot. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt and a ½ teaspoon black pepper. Cover the pot with the lid and bake for 1½ hours.
  • During the last half hour bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne according to the directions on the box. Drain and set aside.
  • Once the tomato sauce has been cooked add it to either a food processor or a blender as you need to puree the sauce until smooth. Return the tomato mixture to the pot. Add the fresh oregano, cream and 1 teaspoon salt and a ½ teaspoon black pepper and simmer partially covered for 10 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from the heat and add a ½ cup of Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.