Spicy Vodka Pasta

Forté Spicy Vodka Pasta

Tender penne tossed in a silky, spicy tomato-cream sauce made with Forté Spicy Protein Marinara. A comforting pasta dinner with approximately 36 g of protein per serving.

Serves: 4
Prep time: 5 minutes · Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) dry penne

• 1 jar (26 oz / 737 g) Forté Spicy Protein Marinara Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves (about 6 g), finely minced

• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) vodka

• ¼ cup (60 mL) heavy whipping cream

• 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water, used as needed

• Salt, for the pasta water and to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until about 1 minute shy of the package’s al dente time. Reserve 1 cup of cooking water, then drain.

2. Sauté the garlic. Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring, until fragrant but not browned.

3. Add the vodka. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the measured vodka. Return to medium-low heat and simmer for 1–2 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by about half.

4. Make the sauce. Stir in the Forté Spicy Protein Marinara. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream until evenly combined.

5. Finish the pasta. Add the drained penne and ¼ cup of reserved pasta water. Toss gently over low heat for 1–2 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce coats every piece. Add more pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a silky consistency.

6. Serve. Taste and adjust the salt if needed. Divide among four warm bowls, spoon any remaining sauce over the pasta, and serve immediately.

Cook’s note: Keep the heat gentle after adding the cream. The sauce should cling generously to the pasta; a splash of reserved cooking water will loosen it if it becomes too thick.

Estimated Nutrition

Calculated using a 737 g jar of Forté Spicy Protein Marinara, your supplied sauce nutrition label, standard wheat penne, and heavy cream containing 60 calories and 6 g fat per tablespoon. Includes all listed ingredients and the full calories from the vodka; actual calories may be l