Penne with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Sweet Onion, Minced
• ¼ cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 34 ounces, weight Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 whole Bay Leaf
• ½ teaspoons Salt And Pepper, Adjust To Taste
• 4 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil, Plus More For Garnish
• ⅛ teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (up To 1/4 Teaspoon Depending On Taste)
• 1 cup Vodka
• 1 pound Penne Pasta
• ½ cups Heavy Cream
• ½ cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated

Preparation Instructions

Cook the garlic and onion in olive oil over medium-high heat until translucent (about 3 minutes). Add tomatoes, bay leaf, and salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

After 1 hour, add the basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and vodka. Then simmer over low heat, stirring frequently until reduced by about 1/4 (this will take approximately 25 minutes). Meanwhile, cook the penne according to box directions.

Stir cream and Parmesan cheese into the sauce and simmer for 5-10 more minutes. Finally, stir the cooked penne into the sauce. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve.