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Instant pot penne alla vodka in a white dish topped with sprinkled cheese and fresh basil.
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Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka

Instant Pot penne all vodka is a simple, one-pot way to make the classic pasta dish.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Time to Pressure 10 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 309kcal
Author Kate at Eating in an Instant

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ cup vodka
  • 12 ounces uncooked penne pasta
  • Pinch red chili flakes optional
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 ½ cups cool water
  • 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese plus more for sprinkling
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves cut into chiffonade

Instructions

  • Press sauté.
  • When the Instant Pot reads "hot", add the butter.
  • Once the butter has melted, add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring the entire time. Be careful that the garlic doesn’t overbrown.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring the entire time, until it begins to brown, about 1 minute.
  • Add vodka and cook for 1 minute to boil off some of the alcohol.
  • Press cancel.
  • Layer in the penne, red chili flakes, if using, 2½ cups cool water, salt and pepper, and crushed tomatoes. Do not stir.
  • Close and lock on the lid.
  • Press manual high pressure, and adjust the cooking time to 3 minutes. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to the "Sealing" position.
  • When the cooking time has finished, carefully turn the pressure release valve to "venting" to quickly release the pressure.
  • Remove the lid and give it a good stir.
  • Add the cream and stir to combine.
  • Let the pasta stand in the pot, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the sauce to thicken.
  • Stir the cheese, and season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
  • Serve sprinkled with additional cheese and basil.

Notes

  • Butter: I use salted butter, but unsalted butter will also work.
  • Garlic: You could also mince the garlic if you prefer.
  • Chili flakes: Feel free to omit or use more depending on your tastes.
  • Penne pasta: Or another similar shaped pasta.
  • Cream: Feel free to adjust the amount of cream to your liking. If you use half-and-half, it will give you a thinner sauce.
  • Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 556IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 1mg