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Quick Pasta Dinner

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Quick Pasta Dinner

* Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Brush butter mixture over 4 (1-inch-thick) slices crusty Italian bread; sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Broil 2 minutes or until lightly browned.

Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce

Nothing coats pasta quite like whipping cream. Although the dish uses canned tomatoes and broth for convenience, it tastes fresh because of the basil stirred in at the end. For a nonalcoholic version of the pasta sauce, replace the vodka with additional chicken broth.

Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce Photo by: Lee Harrelson

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound uncooked penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1/4 cup whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil

Preparation

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add vodka; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes or until liquid is reduced by about half. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, broth, and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes. Place tomato mixture in a blender. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid (to avoid splatters). Process until smooth. Return tomato mixture to pan; stir in cream. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in cooked pasta, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and basil. Serve immediately.

Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2007

Parmesan-garlic toasts*

Tossed green salad

Formal Menu Top Quick Pasta Dinner

Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce

Parmesan-garlic toasts*

Tossed green salad

Cooking Light

Formal Menu Bottom

Shopping List for Quick Pasta Dinner

This comfort-food menu is an Italian classic. For a nonalcoholic version of the pasta sauce, replace the vodka with additional chicken broth. (Serves 4)

* Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Brush butter mixture over 4 (1-inch-thick) slices crusty Italian bread; sprinkle with 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Broil 2 minutes or until lightly browned.

Shopping List:

Canned

  • 1/2 pound uncooked penne pasta

Produce

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Spices

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Recipe List

Pasta with Vodka Cream Sauce

Parmesan-garlic toasts*

Tossed green salad

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Quick Pasta Dinner
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