I have been obsessed with this pasta recipe for weeks now. I have been making it every Sunday and thought numerous times if I should even post this recipe but I finally am because ITS.JUST.THAT.GOOD! I usually serve this with garlic bread (but focaccia would be nice here too) and a salad (usually Caesar). It’s such an easy meal to make and it can be made to impress anybody. The sun dried tomatoes and basil are the real hero’s here and elevate the dish. Hope you give this recipe a try and become as obsessed as I am.

4 servings / 10 mins prep time / 30 mins total time

Ingredients

2 cups penne pasta, uncooked

Basil, garnish

Parmesan cheese, garnish

Red chili flakes, optional

Sauce

3 tbsp olive oil

3 garlic cloves, grated

½ tsp red chili flakes, optional

¼ cup fresh basil, packed and chopped

½ pint of cherry tomatoes, halved

2-3 sun dried tomatoes, sliced

¼ cup vodka

¾ cup cream

½ cup passata

2 tbsp parmesan cheese

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions

On a cold skillet, add olive oil, garlic and red chili flakes and heat to medium high.

Once the garlic and chili flakes start to sizzle, add the basil, cherry tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes, cook until the tomatoes have cooked down, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the vodka and allow to reduce by half, about 3 minutes.

Once the vodka has reduced add the cream, passata and parmesan cheese. Give it a mix, it should be a nice pink colour. Reduce heat to medium low and allow to simmer, partially covered for 15 minutes.

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions while the sauce simmers. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the sauce and let it cook together for about a minute. Top with more basil, parmesan, chili flakes and enjoy!