Penne Pasta Sausage alla Vodka Sauce

How do you make the Vodka Sauce? Do you do it by setting the alcohol on fire? I know it looks cool, but it doesn’t work. Flambé leaves 75% of the alcohol and a good Vodka Sauce Only has 5% alcohol. What’s the trick?

A slow simmer is perfect for releasing those peppery, herbal flavors and reducing the alcohol content to only 5%.

In the following recipe I’m going to substitute the chicken sausage for beef sausage. You can substitute any sausage, just make sure if it’s not precooked, to cook it separately and drain the grease before adding it into the recipe.

Want to know how to make fresh crushed tomatoes? This guy makes it look so easy. It’s exactly what I’m going to do.

This recipe also uses a simmering time of only 20 minutes. If you prefer to simmer your vodka sauce longer you can use the following instructions:

In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onions in melted butter until slightly soft and brown. Pour in the vodka and cook 10 minutes. Mix in the crushed tomatoes and simmer 30 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, your seasonings and simmer another 30 minutes. Yum Yum!