Simple Penne ala Vodka

I love this dish and order it whenever I find it on a menu. I've discovered a simple way to make it at home, and I must admit it rivals what I've ordered out. Try it for yourself and see if you don't agree!

Penne ala Vodka

INGREDIENTS:

1 32 oz. bottle Muir Glen Organic Cabernet Marina sauce (see photo)
1 32 oz. bottle Bertolli Alfredo Sauce (see photo)
1 15 oz. can organic diced tomatoes
3/4 cup Sky Vodka
1 pkg. penne pasta
2 slices bacon, cut in small pieces
1 Tbsp. olive oil (not EVOO)
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Do not rinse.
Pour olive oil in large pan. Heat over medium heat. Add onions, bacon and garlic. Cook over medium heat until translucent. Add marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning and stir. Cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes. Add Alfredo sauce and vodka. Stir until thoroughly blended and continue cooking covered over medium low heat for 15 minutes. Stir as needed.

Add pasta to the pan and stir. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often.

Serves 6 - 8

Posted by Debi

Sweet Peppers, Spinach and Bacon Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

Difficulty: Easy

Total Time: 45 minutes to an hour (depending on how many kid interruptions you have)

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

 Pasta
1 lb pasta, cooked and drained
8 oz bacon, cooked (bacon fat reserved)
2 cups mini sweet peppers, seeded and sliced (roughly 20 peppers, it's up to you really)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Alfredo Sauce
2 T. butter
3/4 c. heavy cream (you could use milk, but if you are going to do alfredo you might as well do it right!)
3/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
1 t. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.

In a large pan cut up the bacon in small pieces and cook until crispy.  Remove the bacon from the pan leaving the remaining bacon fat in the pan.  Add the peppers and onions to the bacon fat and sauté until soft (I know, totally not healthy, but we are going for taste over health in this recipe).  Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.  Add the spinach, it will be overflowing but it WILL cook down.  Drizzle the olive oil over the spinach and season with salt and pepper.  Let it cook down over low heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn't burn.

In the meantime, make your alfredo sauce.  If you have never attempted making your own alfredo sauce you are in for a treat!  In my opinion it is way better than any canned alfredo sauce.  Watch out Olive Garden! :)  Get a small sauce pan and put the heat on medium and melt the butter.  Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and heat for 5 minutes, stirring often, you do not want it to boil so watch it.  Once it is good and heated through add your cheese and whisk, whisk, whisk.  Keep it moving so it doesn't burn.  Once all the cheese is good and melted add your seasoning.  You want it to be a little on the "over seasoned" side.  It will balance out when you add it to your pasta.

And that is it my friends.  Mix everything together and serve it immediately.  Bon Appetite!

Recipe by: Tracy