Penne with Vodka Sauce & Capicola

Breakfast

• Blueberry-Coconut-Macadamia Muffins
• Lemon-Raspberry Muffins
• Quick Breakfast Taco
• Waffles

Snacks

• Mississippi Spiced Pecans

Sandwiches

• Chicken Parmesan Sub
• Grilled Eggplant Panini
• Tuna Melt

Soups

• Slow-Cooked Provencal Beef Stew
• Spicy Cioppino
• Turkey & Squash Soup

Entrees

• Black Bean Croquettes with Fresh Salsa
• Brazilian Grilled Flank Steak
• Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo
• Chilaquiles Casserole
• Fennel & Chicken Flatbread
• Florentine Ravioli
• Grilled Filet Mignon with Vegetable Kebabs
• Marmalade Chicken
• Meatloaf
• Mini Shepherd’s Pies
• Neapolitan Meatballs
• Oven-Fried Fish & Chips
• Paprika Shrimp & Green Bean Saute
• Pecan-Crusted Chicken
• Penne with Vodka Sauce & Capicola
• Poached Salmon with Creamy Piccata Sauce
• Pork Chops with Apples & Thyme
• Red Curry with Vegetables
• Roasted Portobello Caps
• Salmon with Pepita-Lime Butter
• Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans
• Skillet Tuna Noodle Casserole
• Tofu Parmigiana
• Wok-Seared Chicken Tenders with Asparagus & Pistachios

Side Dishes

• Broccoli with Caramelized Onions & Pine Nuts
• Carrot Saute with Ginger & Orange
• Crunchy Pear & Celery Salad
• Garlic-Rosemary Mushrooms
• Loaded Twice-Baked Potatoes
• Mexican Grilled Corn
• Papaya-Avocado Salad
• Sizzled Green Beans with Crispy Prosciutto & Pine Nuts

Desserts

• Bananas in Brown Sugar-Rum Sauce
• "Cocoa-Nut" Bananas
• Deep-Dish Apple Pie
• Flourless Honey-Almond Cake
• Grapefruit Brulee
• No-Bake Cookies
• Warm Chocolate Pudding

Beverages

• Citrus Berry Smoothie
• Spiced Hot Chocolate

Our velvety tomato sauce is spiked with cubes of salty capicola and a few shots of vodka. Make it a Meal: Caesar salad and a glass of Pinot Noir will shine with this dish!

Ingredients

12 ounces whole-wheat penne
1 2-ounce piece capicola or pancetta, finely diced (see Tip)
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup vodka
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook penne until just tender, 12 minutes or according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, cook capicola (or pancetta) in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.

3. Return the saucepan to medium-low heat; add onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 1 minute. Increase heat to high; add vodka and bring to a boil. Boil until reduced by about half, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce and crushed red pepper to taste; reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.

4. Drain the pasta; serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with the capicola (or pancetta), basil and pepper.

Tip: Capicola and pancetta can be found in the deli section of most large supermarkets. Buy one thick piece for this recipe.

Makes 6 servings

Active Time

20 Minutes

Total Time

35 Minutes

Ease of Preparation

Easy

Recipes provided by EatingWell.