May Recipe - Creamy Vodka Penne with Spicy Italian Sausage

This comforting pasta dish combines tender penne, savory Italian sausage, and a silky vodka cream sauce for a satisfying meal that comes together quickly. Using a quality jarred sauce keeps the recipe simple while allowing the sausage, cream, and Parmesan to build layers of flavor. It’s the kind of cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that works equally well for a weeknight family meal or casual entertaining.

Creamy Vodka Penne with Spicy Italian Sausage

INGREDIENTS

• 8–12 ounces penne pasta

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 16 ounces Italian sausage (spicy or mild), casings removed if needed

• 1 (24-ounce) jar vodka pasta sauce (such as Rao’s Homemade Vodka Sauce)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup freshly grated Grana Padano cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano may be substituted; however, Grana Padano is used for its better melting qualities.)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

  
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. COOK THE PASTA. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

2. COOK THE SAUSAGE. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked.

3. MAKE THE SAUCE. Stir the vodka sauce into the skillet with the sausage. Simmer for 3–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to heat through and slightly thicken. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream.

4. COMBINE THE PASTA. Add the cooked penne to the sauce along with the cheese. Toss gently to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

5. SERVE. Divide the pasta among bowls and finish with additional Parmesan and a heavy sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve warm.

Variations to try: Add one cup of parsley to step four when combining ingredients for an extra fresh flavor.  If making this dish ahead, reserve the parsley until it’s time to serve. For a spicier option, try an off the shelf arrabiata option like Rao's Homemade Arrabbiata Spicy Tomato Sauce available at H-E-B.