This vodka sauce pasta with Sausage is the perfect balance of creamy, comforting, delicious penne pasta, one of my all-time favorite meals. The crispy, crumbled Italian Sausage blends beautifully with the rich, velvety vodka sauce, way better than anything you can buy in a jar. It’s the perfect dish for a cozy date night and a quick meal in 30 minutes!
Vodka sauce pasta with Sausage, also known as Penne alla Vodka, is a beloved Italian pasta dish. This recipe version adds an extra depth of flavor and a boost of protein with mild Italian Sausage.
This sauce is pure comfort. Crispy bits of Italian Sausage are mixed in a rich blend of crushed tomatoes and creamy goodness. The vodka works its magic, bringing everything together into a sauce that’s impossible to resist. Trust me, you’ll make it repeatedly once you try—I know I do!
Why You’ll Love Vodka Sauce Pasta with Sausage
Restaurant-Quality at Home—It’s a big deal that this homemade pasta tastes like something you’d expect from a top Italian restaurant. This vodka sauce pasta with Sausage delivers the same depth of flavor and texture.
Perfect Dish for Any Occasion—Whether it’s date night, Valentine’s Day, or just a regular evening, this pasta feels special when you could use a treat!
Easy To Make – This pasta has simple ingredients and takes just half an hour to make.
Customizable –This dish can also be made with different proteins, adjusted spice levels, or dairy-free alternatives.
The Secret Behind a Perfect Vodka Sauce
A creamy vodka sauce is more than just tomatoes and cream. Vodka helps the cream and tomato sauce blend smoothly without separating and acts like an emulsifier. It gives the signature orange color to the dish and enhances the sauce’s texture. It’s a carefully balanced fusion of flavors. Here’s why each ingredient plays an important role:
It’s always a good idea to drink one you’d be happy to drink.
- Vodka –The alcohol evaporates during cooking, emulsifying the sauce and enhancing the natural flavors of the tomatoes, creating a rich, velvety texture. I use unflavored vodka for this recipe, so you won’t feel the alcohol overpowering the sauce, but any type can go for this dish.
- Double (Heavy) Cream –Don’t use a single half and half cream because the sauce will be less creamy, resulting in a thinner sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes + Tomato Purée —Combining concentrated tomato puree and crushed tomatoes creates a perfectly smooth and rich sauce. Skipping the tomato purée will result in a lighter pink sauce.
- Italian Sausage –I use only three Italian sausages for this pasta sauce. Remove their casings and always crumble them with your spoon as they cook.
- Shallots & Garlic –The mild flavor of shallots is perfect for this vodka sauce. You can use yellow or red onion if you don’t have shallots. If you don’t have fresh garlic, use it for this recipe if you don’t want to miss its amazing flavors.
- Red Chili Flakes –The right amount of red chili adds a warm kick without overpowering the creaminess.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan is always best for this type of sauce.
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Penne pasta | 12 oz (340g) |
| Italian sausages | 3 (casings removed, crumbled) |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
| Tomato purée | 1 tbsp |
| Garlic cloves | 3 (minced) |
| Shallot | 1 (finely chopped) |
| Italian seasoning mix | 1 tbsp (or a mix of oregano, basil, and rosemary) |
| Red chili flakes | ½ tsp (adjust to taste) |
| Vodka | ¼ cup (60ml) |
| Salt for boiling water | (adjust to taste) |
| Crushed tomatoes | 1 can (14oz/400g) |
| Double (heavy) cream | ½ cup (120ml) |
| Freshly grated Parmesan | ½ cup (50g) |
| Fresh basil leaves | a few for garnish |
| Freshly ground black pepper | (adjust to taste) |
Making Vodka Sauce Pasta with Sausage
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large skillet/pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Cook the penne pasta al dente by following the package instructions.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain rest and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sausage
- In the meantime, Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan and add sausages. Sauté for 6-7 minutes over medium heat.
- Breaking it apart as it cooks.
3. Build the Sauce
- Stir in shallots and garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant site often.
- Add Italian seasoning and red chili flakes, and continue stirring for another minute.
- Pour in the vodka, tomato purée, and crushed tomatoes, and stir in. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the Cream and Cheese
- Lower the heat when the sauce starts bubbling and mix in the heavy cream, stirring until thoroughly combined.
- Simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced slightly.
- Add grated Parmesan, and let it melt into the sauce.
5. Toss Everything Together
- Finally, add the cooked pasta and toss until well coated.
- Feel free to use reserved pasta water to get your preferred consistency.
- Season to taste and garnish with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, and black pepper at the top if you like it.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Serve hot with crusty garlic bread or a fresh side salad for the ultimate Italian meal.
Storage & Leftovers
- While this vodka sauce pasta with Sausage is best in fresh form, leftovers are still delicious. The texture of leftover pasta may change, but that won’t affect the taste.
- Always keep Leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
- It’s recommended that you reheat the Vodka sauce pasta in the microwave.
Recipe notes and tips
- You won’t be able to notice the vodka in the sauce, but it’s essential to let it simmer for at least 5 minutes (or longer for deeper flavor).
- If you want to cook this vodka sauce pasta with Sausage the day before, you can reheat the sauce on the stovetop while cooking fresh pasta. Mix all together and serve immediately.
- Vodka sauce pasta is satisfying enough, but pairing it with garlic bread or a fresh side salad is a delicious option.
Recipe Variations
- Adding Italian Sausage to this recipe makes the dish hearty and delicious. A diced pancetta is another excellent option. I love substituting the Sausage with it, and I use 5oz of diced pancetta per pound of pasta.
- To make this dish vegetarian, you can skip the Sausage.
- When you add the garlic to the pot, you only need to sauté it for a few seconds.
- I love the vibrant pop of color peas; it is a great way to sneak in veggies. If you don’t like peas, feel free to skip them!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Final Thoughts – A Must-Try Italian Classic
Vodka Sauce Pasta with Sausage is the ultimate comfort food with a luxurious touch. The creamy, rich sauce and the bold flavors of crispy Sausage make it a dish you’ll crave repeatedly. Whether impressing guests or treating yourself, this pasta is an absolute pleasure. So, grab a fork and dig in—your new favorite pasta dish! Keep Following PastaSphere.com for more gourmet pasta recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make a good vodka sauce?
Heat two tablespoons of olive oil to make penne pasta with vodka sauce. Then add one tablespoon of finely chopped onion and two cloves of garlic—cook until translucent. Pour in one cup of Vodka and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Add one-half cup crushed tomatoes and heavy cream and again let it simmer. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
What’s the point of penne alla Vodka?
Penne alla vodka is a favourite dish on Italian-American menus. It is believed that alcohol intensifies the dish’s bold heat and rich, savoury flavours, helping the fat blend smoothly and giving the sauce a velvety, creamy finish.
What can I replace Vodka within a recipe?
In cooking, white vinegar is an excellent substitute for Vodka. It is similar to lime juice or apple cider vinegar but with less sweetness and a more pungent briny taste, making it a perfect substitute for tomato-based sauces like vodka pasta.
