Welcome to In The Kitchen With Jackie O! I'm so excited to have you follow along as I share my authentic and generational recipes, adventures through the mountains, and all things family and friends.
I grew up in a family who gathered frequently, cooked phenomenally, and continued traditions that have lasted through many generations. I am here to bring you with a timeless experience, one that will allow you to genuinely connect with loved ones and peers on a personal level through cooking.
Living in an Italian household, we always had pasta a few times a week for dinner. There are so many different ways to use pasta and so many different types of sauces that can elevate your dish. For those on the go and looking for an easy and delicious sauce to have with their pasta, this Crockpot Penne Alla Vodka Sauce was made for you!
With only a few simple ingredients, this sauce has minimal prep time and cooks down throughout the day in your crockpot. Prepare it the night before or even in the morning before going to work and when you come home for dinner, you will have one of the tastiest penne alla vodka sauces ready to use!
Penne Alla vodka sauce origination is a heavily debated topic. Some claim that it originated in a restaurant called Dante in Bologna. Others claim that it was created by a chef named Luigi Franzese in the 1970s while working at Orsini Restaurant in New York.
It’s also claimed that James Doty, a Columbia University graduate, created the famous dish in the 1980s. Even though historians are unable to identify the exact origin of the sauce, it is still one of the most popular items sold in many Italian restaurants in the United States and Italy.
Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add a handful of salt to the water.
Add in pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8-13 minutes.
Vodka Sauce:
In a large pan with high sides, melt butter and olive oil on low heat.
Once the butter is melted, mix in the onion and saute until clear, and then add in the minced garlic and continue to sautee.
Add sauteed garlic and onions into the crockpot with the butter and oil.
Combine the puree, heavy cream, vodka, basil, pepper, and parmesan cheese in the crockpot and mix thoroughly.
Add in the cheese from the inside of the burrata balls and stir into the sauce.
Cook sauce on low for 4-6 hours, stirring regularly.
Assembly:
Once the sauce is cooked and pasta is al dente, drain the pasta water and pour pasta into a large pasta bowl.
Mix in ladles of the vodka sauce together so all pasta is coated with the cheese mixture.
Transfer to a serving bowl and top with extra fresh basil, ground black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes well with vodka sauce?
Any type of grilled or crispy chicken or grilled pairs well with Penne alla Vodka!
What types of cheese is best to use with vodka sauce?
Parmesan, romano, and pecorino romano cheeses are all best to use when making your vodka sauce. Using a combination of two kinds of cheese helps ensure it’s not overpowered by one cheese flavor and adds dimension to the flavor.
What other pasta types can I use?
Rigatoni and penne are best to use with vodka sauce.
Savings Tip
If you find that you have a lot of sauce left over, you can freeze it and save it for another meal or you can add as a spread on sandwiches, elevate a meatball sub, use on chicken parmesan or use it as a dip for crispy chicken tenders.
Pairing Options – Pair with a glass of white wine and a simple garden salad to round out the meal
Storage and Reheat Options
Storage
Store the leftover pasta and sauce in airtight glass or plastic containers in the refrigerator for up 4 days.
Leftover sauce can be frozen in freezer bags or an airtight container.
Reheat
Place the pasta and sauce in a pan on the stove on low heat, stirring periodically. Slowly heat the pasta through for best results.
To reheat the frozen sauce, remove from freezer and place in refrigerator the night before. Place in a small saucepan on the stov on low heat and stir periodically until dethawed and warmed through.
With only a few simple ingredients, this sauce has minimal prep time and cooks down throughout the day in your crockpot. Prepare it the night before or even in the morning before going to work and when you come home for dinner, you will have one of the tastiest penne alla vodka sauces ready to use!
