Description
This creamy Vodka Sauce is rich, tangy, and perfectly indulgent—ideal for serving with your favorite pasta, spooning over pizza crust, or dunking with crusty garlic bread. A classic Italian-American sauce that blends smooth cream, tangy tomatoes, and a kick of vodka for complex flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup olive oil
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste, about 1 ½ teaspoons total)
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 1 cup vodka
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 pint heavy cream
Cheese
- ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat fats: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil until fully combined and hot.
- Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion, minced garlic, dried basil, salt, Italian seasoning, pepper, and oregano to the skillet. Stir occasionally and cook until onions soften, approximately 5 minutes.
- Simmer vodka: Pour in the vodka and let the mixture simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the alcohol to cook off and flavor to concentrate.
- Add tomatoes and simmer: Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Incorporate cream and continue simmering: Pour in the heavy cream, cover again, and simmer for an additional 30 minutes to develop creaminess and meld flavors.
- Blend the sauce: Carefully transfer the sauce to a high-powered blender along with grated parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Finish and serve: Taste the sauce, adjust seasoning if needed, then serve immediately with pasta, over pizza crust, or as a dip with garlic bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use a skillet with a lid to effectively simmer the sauce covered and prevent splatter.
- Simmering vodka allows most alcohol to cook off while retaining flavor.
- Blending the sauce makes it smooth and creamy, but you can blend less for a chunkier texture.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat gently on the stove to maintain sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian, American
Keywords: creamy tomato sauce, creamy vodka sauce, homemade sauce, pasta sauce recipe, penne alla vodka, pizza sauce recipe
