Believe it or not I’m not actually a vodka drinker but for some reason this thermomix penne with vodka sauce recipe really intrigued me and I just had to give it a go! I even had to ‘borrow’ my son’s vodka that he’d received from someone for his 21st! This recipe also works well without the vodka. Leave out the bacon and it’s a very tasty vegetarian recipe. Add a little shredded chicken and you have a hearty main meal.
This is a perfect recipe to get you to cook your pasta in your ThermoServer and also to let you know that the varoma is a great substitute for a strainer!
This recipe was included in the July 2014 Cook Along and was thoroughly enjoyed by many. Such a quick and flavoursome meal.
Looking for more delicious and quick dinners? Then make sure you get a copy of my Meals in a Jiffy cookbook with 35 dinner recipes that can be on the table in approx. 30 minutes!
Penne with Vodka Sauce - ThermoFun
Ingredients
- 60g parmesan cheese, cubed
- handful fresh parsley or basil
- 3 rashers shortcut bacon, quartered (optional)
- 20g olive oil (if not using bacon)
- 2 spring onions, quartered
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 red chilli, deseeded
- 800g tomatoes, can diced or fresh halved
- 130g vodka (optional)
- 70g water (or 100g water if not using vodka)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 100g thickened cream
- 350g penne
Instructions
- Click Here for directions to cook pasta in your ThermoServer.
While pasta is cooking, continue to make the sauce. - Place parmesan into TM bowl and grate 10 sec / speed 9. Set aside.
- Place parsley/basil into TM bowl and chop 3 sec / speed 8. Set aside.
- Place bacon (or oil), spring onions, garlic and chilli into TM bowl and chop
3 sec / speed 8. - Scrape down and sauté 5 mins / Varoma / speed 1 / MC off.
- Add tomatoes (if fresh chop 5 sec / speed 5).
- If using vodka: add 70g water and 130g vodka to bowl.
If not using vodka: add 100g water into TM bowl.
NB: the alcohol evaporates hence the different amounts of water. - Add salt and cook 10 mins / Varoma / speed 1 / MC off, placing Varoma (no Varoma lid) on top of TM lid to capture any spatter.
- Add cream and parmesan (leaving a small amount aside for garnish) and cook 2 mins / 100°C / speed 1.
- When pasta is cooked, drain pasta using the Varoma and return pasta back to empty ThermoServer.
- Pour sauce into ThermoServer, add parsley/basil and combine well.
- Divide among bowls and garnish with remaining parmesan.
Notes
Instead of using simmering basket to catch any spatter in this recipe, I have suggested the varoma because we can use the varoma to drain the pasta. Always happy to save on washing up when I can!
Click Here for more great recipes in a number of e-cookbooks – containing recipes to suit everyone.
If you have enjoyed this recipe then please consider leaving a comment. It’s always refreshing to see comments from people that have tried a recipe and found it a success or tweaked it to suit.
Merryn says
I love this recipe with or without the basic. The flavour is divine.
Kathy Standish says
I had it in my head when I went to the shops that this had mince in it, so I bought some. Can I add this to it do you think? If so how much and at which point in recipe should I add it? Thinking this may fill up the big boys in my house a bit more. Looking forward to making this tonight.
Thanks, Kathy :-)
thermofun says
My apologies Kathy for the delay in replying but I've been away for a few days with no internet. I would add mince in the simmering basket or varoma at step 8 and cook it for 15 mins.
Anne says
Another tasty easy dinner - thanks Leonie. I love that your recipes are everyday ingredients that most families have in their pantry/fridge!! I did have vodka in the alcohol stash... ? I added your passata instead of the tomatoes and some chicken breast. Certainly will become a regular on my menu.
thermofun says
Thanks Anne :)
Jenny says
Well I've been wanting to try this one for a while finally got around to it and as predicted it didn't disappoint thanks for another delicious quick dinner Leonie.
thermofun says
Thank you Jenny! :)
Dianne says
Hi Leonie, I have just cooked this for our evening meal. What a quick and easy recipe to do and a very tasty sauce. I to had to pinch some Vodka from my child's alcohol stash, don't think she will notice?
thermofun says
Thanks Dianne - sounds like me having to pinch the vodka from my son! At least that's one advantage in having kids!!! lol!! ;)
Heidi says
If I wanted to make this a vodka penne pollo (with chicken) how could I cook the chicken as part of the receipe? Many thanks
thermofun says
My apologies Heidi, if you were wanting to make this for dinner tonight :/ But I would add some diced chicken in at step 10 and perhaps cook for around 3-5 mins longer and most important put in REVERSE so you don't get shredded chicken.