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Baked Penne Vodka

baked penne vodka in a white casserole dish on a wood board

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5 from 2 reviews

Like baked ziti? Then you’ll love this Baked Penne Vodka! A delicious homemade vodka sauce, mini penne, lots of Mozzarella cheese, and cool creamy Burrata cheese. Cheese loves, this pasta bake is for you!

Ingredients

3 cups mini penne pasta
3 garlic cloves, grated
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups half & half
6oz can tomato paste
1/4 cup vodka (this is just the size of a mini bottle)
1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnishing your plate
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (plus a little more for garnishing at the end!)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 ladle of reserved boiling pasta water (in case the sauce ever gets too thick)
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
4 balls Burrata cheese (2 will be used on the pasta bake, 2 will be for serving)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Preheat oven to 375. Cook the 3 cups of mini penne pasta according to box directions. As the pasta is cooking, carefully reserve 1 ladle of water.

4. While the pasta is cooking, begin making the vodka sauce. In a medium pan over medium heat melt the butter then add the grated garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the flour and whisk until combined, cook about 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and stir to incorporate with the flour…cook another  minutes. Add the half & half and gently whisk to blend the tomato paste into the cream. Then, add the vodka and basil. Bring to light boil, then reduce heat and add the Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Simmer for 8-10 minutes. If the sauce begins to thicken too much, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time.

3. Mix the pasta with the vodka sauce then pour into your baking dish, layer with the Mozzarella cheese, then tear and spread 2 Burrata balls overtop. Sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, then place under the broiler for 90 seconds – 2 minutes. 

To serve, add a little extra Burrata on the side!

Notes

If you want to make this extra fast and easy, you can use your favorite jarred vodka sauce, but I really think making your own will yield the best flavor!