Penne Alla Vodka – A classic Italian pasta dish with smooth and creamy tomato-based sauce is a favorite comfort food of mine!
I love to cook food that I have enjoyed in restaurants and this recipe is my attempt to recreate one of those delicious dishes. I have made this pasta on stovetop for a long time and couldn’t wait to try it in my Instant Pot.
Pro tips for perfect Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka Pasta:
- Add enough water/broth/tomato sauce so that most of the pasta is under the liquids
- Layer the pasta sauce on top of the water or broth and do not mix it in
- For a well cooked pasta, pressure cook pasta for half the time on the pasta box
- For Al dente pasta, pressure cook for half the time on the pasta box minus 1 minute
- Always add cream after the pasta is done pressure cooking
- Quick releasing after pressure cooking will avoid overcooking the pasta
Why Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot:
- Cooking the pasta in the Instant Pot gives it a naturally creamy texture as the recipes do not require draining the excess water after pressure cooking the pasta. This water adds a great testure and flavor to the dish.
What flavors does Vodka add to a pasta dish:
- Adds a touch of heat and sharpness
- Helps balance the sweetness of tomatoes and cream
- For more info check out this article from Serious Eats
- For any one wondering most of the alcohol in this recipe is evaporated but the traces left unlocks a lot of flavors.
Regular pasta Vs Gluten Free:
- Love the Trader Joe’s gluten free pasta varieties. I use the brown rice pasta in this recipe that has a cook time of 7 – 10 minutes. This Pasta cooks al dente in 4 mins followed by quick release.
- For regular pasta, check the cooktime on the box. Use half the time to pressure cook pasta for a well cooked pasta or half the time minus one minute for aldente.
Types of tomatoes that can be used for Penne Alla Vodka:
- Diced ripe plum tomatoes
- Jar of favorite marinara sauce
- Canned tomato puree
- Puree a can of peeled plum tomatoes and add minced fresh garlic
Step by Step Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka Recipe:
- Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat oil. Add onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on. Add vodka, mix well and cook for another 2 mins to reduce down the vodka.
- Add pasta, salt, 2 cups of water and tomato puree . Close the Instant Pot and Manual/pressure cook for 4 minutes (Note, the cook time on Trader Joe’s brown rice pasta is 7-10 mins)
- Quick release and open the lid. Stir in cream. Add parsley and grated cheese. Mix well and Serve hot.
Adding protein or veggies to the Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka:
- Sauté 1 inch cubes of boneless chicken thighs along with the onions and follow the remaining recipe.
- Sauté shrimp, peas or mushrooms in the Instant Pot as the first step in some oil with salt and pepper. Keep them aside and follow the rest of the recipe. Simply add the sauteeted shrimp or veggies on the pasta before serving
- Stir in few handful of baby spinach in the end just before serving.
Other favorite Instant Pot Pasta recipes:
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
- 1 LB pasta I used Trader Joe’s organic brown rice penne pasta
- 28 oz tomato puree I like to puree a can of san marzano peeled plum tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- ½ cup vodka
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup parmigiano reggiano grated
- 1/4 cup Parsley chopped
Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat oil.
Add onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes with a glass lid on.
- Add vodka, mix well and cook for another 2 mins to reduce down the vodka.
Add pasta, 2 cups of water, tomato puree and salt. Close the Instant Pot and Manual/pressure cook for 4 minutes (Note, the cook time on Trader Joe’s brown rice pasta is 7-10 mins) followed by Quick Release.
Stir in cream. Add parsley and grated cheese. Mix well and Serve hot.
Note: For any other type or brand of pasta, set Instant Pot to Manual(HI) for half the time that is specified as cooking time on the pasta box.
Recipe Video
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Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
Loretta says
You certainly are on your instant pot kick eh? It looks delicious. How does that differ from a pressure cooker? I have neither and don’t have the room either, but was just curious?
Archana says
Thank you Loretta! It is an electric pressure cooker that cooks food much faster without having to baby sit the food while it is cooking. It also has an sauté option, so you can sauté your onions and garlic before making some dishes so there is more flavor. And lastly makes great homemade yogurt!!
DCN says
Some instant pots can do pressure cooking as well as other things like slow cooker and steaming as well. But it’s difficult if not impossible to do those things with a pressure cooker.
Archana says
All Instant Pots have steam and slow cooker options. I agree it can be also achieved with a traditional pressure cooker.
Hans Susser says
Great looking dish 🙂
Cheers !
Archana says
Thank you Hans!
Miki says
Just wanted to stop by and thank you for this fabulous recipe. I made it last night, but substituted gin for the vodka (don’t judge – it’s a real thing!). I took your suggestion and used my immersion blender on whole Marzano canned tomatoes, and tossed in some baby spinach leaves when it was done. Yum! Will be trying your other recipes as well. Thanks so much!
Archana says
Hi Miki, Thank you so much for taking time to give me your feedback. So judgements – Vodka, Gin, all good!! Love adding Spinach to the pasta too. Hope you enjoy rest of my recipes too.
S says
This looks SO good, cant wait to try this in my Instant Pot. I hope you continue posting more IP recipes that are vegetarian friendly. My mom and sister love your site too 🙂
Archana says
Hi Sujana! Pasta comes out so creamy in the Instant Pot and this recipe is better than any restaurant penne all vodka I have had. So happy to hear that your sister and mom also love my recipes. Thank you for your feedback, they make my day 🙂
kt3us says
This sounds wonderful and looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing this! You have so many great recipes that i have never tried that I would love to. kelly tupick
Archana says
Thank you Kelly!
Mina says
Any good substitutes for Vodka? We can’t use alcohol in our food. Thanks!
Archana says
Just skip it or add veggie broth
Lakshmi says
Can I add water instead of vodka?
Archana says
yes. use the water to deglaze the pot.
Ash says
I want to try this. Can I skip Vodka in this recipe
?
Archana says
Yes! You can skip vodka.
Sej says
I bought Victoria’s vodka sauce. How much do I use for regular Barilla penne pasta?
Archana says
I would add half of the pasta sauce and remaining water(to help Instant Pot come to pressure properly) until most of the pasta is under water. You can stir in remaining sauce after the pressure cooking cycle is complete.
Elena says
I made this tonight, it was WONDERFUL. I modified it a smidge; I used half&half instead of heavy cream (because that’s what I had on hand) and I only used 3/4 of a box of store brand dry pasta penne (I wanted it to be more saucy). I cooked it for 3 min and I’ve just impressed my very picky parents xD
thanks for this 🙂 ♥
Archana says
Hi Elena! Thank you for your lovely feedback. So happy to hear that your parents enjoyed it too.
Kanu says
What kinds of vodka do you use for cooking?
Archana says
Smirnoff works well for me. But any vodka should do.
Binta says
Loved the recipe! I got a burnt error though. I added more water and tried to cook it until the pasta was done. Added veggies at end. Any way to avoid the burnt message in this recipe? I added vodka pasta sauce to the TJ brown rice pasta. I did add water but maybe not enough?
Archana says
Hi Binta, yes the regular vodka sauce is on the thicker side and will need additional 1/2 cup of water. Also just layer the sauce over the pasta. You do not need to mix in.
Donna says
Do you increase cooking time when you double the recipe?
Archana says
Hi Donna, Same Pressure cooking time. Only the Instant Pot will take longer to come to pressure.
Gary says
Can you substitute milk for heavy cream? If so, how much milk to use?
Archana says
Yes! Same amount
EJ says
Instead of puréed tomatoes can I add tomato sauce?
Archana says
Yes! That works well too.
EC says
So if you use Trader Joe’s brown rice penne do you pressure cook for 7-10 minutes instead of 4?
Archana says
Cook it for 4 mins. I used Trader Joe’s brown rice pasta in this recipe. I mentioned the cook times on the
package just as a reference.
CC says
Thanks for the recipe! The video has the tomato sauce mixed in instead of layered on top of the water mentioned in the tips. Which method is better?
Archana says
Layer on top as mentioned in the tips.
Christina says
Hi! I’m so excited to try this! Any recommendations if I wanted to add ground meat?
Archana says
Add ground meat after onions and cook for a minute breaking it in. Make sure to deglaze the Pot well with the vodka so there is no food sticking at the bottom of the pot. Hit cancel on sauté while you deglaze so the pot does not overheat. Enjoy, this is a delicious meal ❤️
Ishita says
How do I make just the sauce?
Archana says
Sauce can be made on the stove top or just sauté mode on instant pot. Follow same steps minus the pasta. No need to pressure cook.
Archana Patel says
Hi, Can I double or triple the recipe and make in a 6 quart? Will the cook time remain the same?
Archana says
I would suggested cooking only 1 box of pasta at a time in 6 QT to avoid mushy pasta on the bottom of the pot.