Penne is one of my favorite pastas because I often associate it with baked ziti. I always keep a pack handy for times when I need to prepare a quick dish to eat at home or share with friends.

Here’s a recipe that is easy to prepare. It is delicious!

Ingredients:

1 pound uncooked penne pasta

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 cups fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons vodka

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup chopped basil

2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions or until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Remove casings of the sausage. In a large skillet over medium low heat, add the oil and sauté the garlic for 2 minutes it until it is light brown. Fry the sausage and break it down to small pieces. Add the red pepper flakes and cook until it is brown. Mix in the tomatoes. Pour in the vodka and add the basil. Bring to a boil. After, lower the heat and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft. Fold in the cream. Season it with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

Combine the penne and the sauce. Make sure that the pasta is coated well. Serve on a plate or platter while it is warm. Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese. Garnish with basil if desired.

Photo Courtesy Of: bgg1979