Rao’s Vodka Sauce Recipe

Must Try

Penne With Vodka Sauce

Making Penne Vodka at Rao’s | Caesars Palace Las Vegas

by Ilana Traeger

With the weather cooling down quickly and bikini season far behind us, its acceptable to eat pasta every night right? Even during warmer weather, I crave a large, comforting bowl of pasta at least once a week. For me, penne vodka is one of the most classically comforting pasta dishes there are.

My penne vodka recipe is simple & comes together quickly with only 5 ingredients. The secret is using your favorite jarred marinara sauce as a base for the vodka sauce. I know, I know if youre going to go through the effort to buy jarred marinara sauce, why not buy jarred vodka sauce? Youll just have to trust me this recipe is totally worth making yourself.

The Tips

The Recipe

  • 1 jar Rao’s marinara sauce
  • 1 cup vodka
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flake
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra shavings for serving
  • Set a large pot of water atop the stove and bring to a boil. Once the water comes to a boil, add a healthy amount of salt and cook the penne until al dente – tender but still firm to the bite – stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to itself. Note: Follow the instructions on the pasta’s box to cook it properly, as cook time will vary depending on the type of pasta you are using.
  • Can Sauce Be Frozen

    Creamy tomato sauce can be stored in the freezer!

    To freeze, prepare the sauce according to the recipe instructions. Allow the sauce to cool on the counter to room temperature. Transfer the sauce to airtight containers or freezer-safe zip-closure bags. Store in the freezer for up to six months.

    To reheat, thaw the sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer the thawed sauce to a saucepan. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low to low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed throughout.

    There is nothing better than sauce made with love from scratch! Pasta night with the family will have a whole new meaning after you try this sauce!

    Until next week, friends, cheers to homemade flavor!

    XOXO

    Is There Vodka In The Sauce

    Yes. Adding vodka releases and boosts flavors in the tomatoes adding a new complexity and balance to the sauce that you wouldnt otherwise be able to achieve. . For those reasons, its a popular technique in Italian cooking, but the key is to simmer the sauce for a long period of time allowing most of the alcohol to evaporate.

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    Does Vodka Sauce Contain Gluten

    For a distinctive flavor, we combine tomatoes, cream, parmesan cheese, and a trace of vodka in our sauce. For a wonderful meal, simply simmer and serve our creamy sauce with your favorite pasta. Make penne alla vodka or chicken parmesan with our gluten-free red sauce. After opening, keep our 24-ounce jar of sauce refrigerated.

    Rao’s Homemade Vodka Sauce 40 Oz

    Rao
  • Low in fat and calories
  • Heat and serve
  • Complements a wide variety of foods
  • 3 year shelf life
  • Includes one 40-oz. jar of vodka sauce
  • See All Features

  • Low in fat and calories
  • Heat and serve
  • Complements a wide variety of foods
  • 3 year shelf life
  • Includes one 40-oz. jar of vodka sauce
  • Number of Ounces in Jar 40
    Number of Jars in Pack 1
    No
    Ingredients Italian Tomatoes, Italian Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese, Romano Cheese, Fresh Onions, Fresh Garlic, Fresh Basil, Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper, Vodka
    Shelf Life
    3.5″L x 3.5″W x 7.75″H
    Weight

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    Tips For Serving Kids

    Millie loved these stuffed shells and ate them as is however Jackson was not a fan of the filling. For reference my twins are 5 years old!

    This recipe will leave you with more of the pumpkin marinara than you will need for the shells so I recommend cooking a few extra shells or other pasta noodles and serving them unstuffed with the extra sauce. A sprinkle of parmesan on top and you are all set. No need to make an entirely different meal.

    How To Make Penne Alla Vodka

    1. Make the Vodka Sauce: Add olive oil and butter to a large pot over medium low heat. Once hot, add onion and cook for several minutes until translucent. Add garlic and crushed red pepper cook for 30 seconds. Add vodka and cook until reduced by half.

    2. Add tomatoes. Use hands to crush the whole tomatoes right into the pot, and add the rest of the juice from the can. Add dried oregano and basil. Reduce heat to medium low and cook, partially covered, for 30 minutes.

    3. Puree. Use an immersion bender, food processor or blender to puree the sauce until smooth.

    4. Add cream, simmer. Reduce pot to low heat. Stir in cream and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook 10 more minutes. Meanwhile, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions.

    5. Add cooked pasta and parmesan cheese.

    Serve garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to one week.

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    Make Ahead And Freezing Instructions:

    To Make Ahead: Make the vodka sauce, but dont add the pasta. Store the sauce and cooked pasta separately in the fridge. Add the sauce to a saucepan to rewarm and then stir in the pasta.

    To Freeze: Make the sauce through step 4, before adding the cream or pasta. Allow the sauce to cool and then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or over low heat in a saucepan. Once warm in saucepan, add cream, cooked pasta, and cheese.

    You could freeze the fully assembled dish as well, just know that upon reheating the sauce may have a slightly different texture due to the cream, and it wont be quite as saucy because of the noodles soaking up some of the sauce.

    Can Stuffed Shells Be Made Ahead

    Raos Made For Home: Penne Alla Vodka Review

    Yes! To prep stuffed shells ahead of time you will want to cook and stuff the shells and place them in a large Tupperware or covered dish up to one day in advance in the fridge.

    When you are ready to bake, add sauce to a baking dish, top with the prepped shells, cover and bake according to directions in my recipe. Note: do not store them on top of the marinara as they will get soggy.

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    Ingredients In Pumpkins Stuffed Shells

    • Jumbo Pasta Shells you will need one big box for this recipe but it never hurts to have more on hand just incase some of the shells break.
    • Ricotta Cheese it just wouldnt be stuffed shells without this delicious Italian cheese.
    • Pumpkin Puree I use canned pumpkin because its convenient and I always have tons of it.
    • Jarred Tomato Sauce use whatever brand you like but I recommend Raos Vodka Sauce for this recipe!
    • Egg this is the binder for your filling.
    • Lots of Cheese you will need shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan.
    • Seasonings fresh sage, salt and pepper, garlic powder and nutmeg.

    I promise that stuffed shells are far easier than they sound or look and Im going to walk you through the steps because anyone can do this!

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    What Cereals Are Certified Gluten Free

    The 11 Most Delicious Gluten-Free Cereals Available Right Now. Remember to save it for later! 11 Cocoa Pebbles, courtesy of Amazon. BUY NOW $19.90 for a set of 11 Puffins. BUY NOW $4.81 Honey Bunches of Oats. BUY NOW $4.81 Rice Krispies. BUY NOW $4.81 Rice Chex. BUY NOW $4.81 Vans Cinnamon Heaven. BUY NOW $4.81 Honey Nut Cheerios.

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    What Happens If Raos Homemade Homemade Vodka Sauce Is Out Of Stock And I Need To Give Specific Instructions

    • Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
    • Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
    • Dont Replace: For items youd rather not replace, choose Dont replace to get a refund if the item is out of stock.

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    How To Select The Bottled Vodka Sauce

    Rao

    Making your final decision can pose to be a challenge. But worry not. We have a few suggestions to make your selection process easier.

    Before that, we would recommend you opt for sites like Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, and Best Buy for your purchase.

    So the factors you should consider while selecting your bottled vodka sauce would be:

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    How Do I Mix The Sauce Into My Pasta

    There is nothing sadder than naked pasta with sauce poured on top.

    What you need to do is make sure that every noodle is coated with rich, creamy sauce. In order to do that, you have to know how to marry the sauce to the pasta.

    Its not hard to do, and it only takes an extra couple of minutes of cooking. The effort is more than worth it. After all, I didnt show you how to make this restaurant classic only to have it poured haphazardly onto naked pasta.

    To enjoy this the way they make it in restaurants,.

    In Short: To the pot of sauce:

    • add some of your starchy pasta cooking water along with a bit of fat to the cooked and drained pasta.
    • Boil madly, stirring, to reduce the liquid.
    • The starch lends a beautiful, creamy mouthfeel to your sauce.

    Tips For Making Stuffed Shells

  • Dont overcook your shells. You want them firm so that they hold together when you fill them. They will finish cooking in the oven.
  • To fill, hold a shell in the palm of your hand. Use a large table or soup spoon to fill with the pumpkin ricotta mixture.
  • Place shells filling side up in the sauce. This will keep them from leaking everywhere while baking.
  • Do not top with more sauce. I find this makes soggy shells. I drizzle a tiny bit of sauce over the top before adding the cheese!
  • After melting the cheese, pop the entire dish under the broiler for just a few seconds to brown up the edges.
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    Creamy Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells

    Last night I was craving stuffed shells and a nice glass of white wine for dinner. Stuffed Shells are such an easy and delicious dinner, its hard to resist making them, especially in the fall.

    Because Ive been stocking up on canned pumpkin every trip to the grocery store, I decided to try adding it into my filling. I love pumpkin in savory dishes from Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas to Mac and Cheese, so why not? Friend, let me tell youthis dinner was a rocking hit!

    How Much Does Instacart Delivery Or Pickup Cost

    RAO’S Penne Alla Vodka Review
    • Delivery fees start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35. Fees vary for one-hour deliveries, club store deliveries, and deliveries under $35.
    • Service fees vary and are subject to change based on factors like location and the number and types of items in your cart. Orders containing alcohol have a separate service fee.
    • Tipping is optional but encouraged for delivery orders. Its a great way to show your shopper appreciation and recognition for excellent service. 100% of your tip goes directly to the shopper who delivers your order.
    • There may be a pickup fee on your pick up order that is typically $1.99 for non-Express members. Express membership waives this like it would a delivery fee.
    • Pick up orders have no service fees, regardless of non-Express or Express membership.

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    How To Cook Vodka Sauce From Scratch

    Homemade Italian-American vodka tomato sauce is incredibly easy to prepare home! Plus, it tastes a million times better than any store-bought brand! No weird metallic taste or unhealthy additives here just naturally delicious, creamy tomato flavor!

  • Sauté onions & aromatics: In a large sauté pan or Dutch oven, heat the oil until shimmering over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes and oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add in the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the paste is caramelized, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add vodka & tomatoes: Add in the vodka bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the mixture is reduced by half, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes to the pan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer
  • Simmer & add basil: Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cover the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 35 minutes. Remove cover and continue to cook for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the basil.
  • Puree: Use an immersion blender, or transfer the mixture to a stand blender or food processor in batches. Puree until the sauce is smooth in consistency. Return the sauce to the pan and place over medium-low heat.
  • How to make vodka tomato sauce step by step photos:

    Factors You Should Consider Before Buying The Bottled Vodka Sauce

    As you already know, research is essential before making any purchase. So, there are some factors you should consider before starting your research. This is important so that you can make your entire buying process as hassle-free as possible.

    Remember, your time has as much value as your money. So, there are a few things you should determine which will affect your research as well.

    There are a few questions you should ask yourself to determine your course of research on the bottled vodka sauce:

    • Is this bottled vodka sauce serving the purpose of purchase? What are your expectations from the product?
    • What functions must the bottled vodka sauce have? Are there any specific functions that you are seeking in the product?
    • Is there a specific budget, or is the budget flexible?
    • Will the bottled vodka sauce require maintenance and upkeep costs?
    • Are you looking to buy the bottled vodka sauce online or offline? What will be the best places to purchase the product?
    • Where will you seek reliable information on the bottled vodka sauce?

    Having multiple options from various brands can get confusing, so ask yourself these questions to narrow down your research.

    Once you determine your expectations from the bottled vodka sauce and your price range, you decide which ones you must research. The research will help you determine the pros and cons. But before that, where will you get the reliable information to conduct your research?

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    How To Thicken Vodka Sauce

    Homemade vodka sauce should be relatively thick and creamy if properly prepared and cooked. However, if you prefer an ultra-creamy, thick sauce, there are a few different ways you can make sauce thicker.

    • Cook it longer. The easiest way to naturally thicken sauce is to simmer it for longer amount of time. However, make sure you never let the sauce come to a boil after the cream is added. Boiling will cause the sauce to break.
    • Stir in more cream. Add more cream to taste and then simmer the sauce until thickened.
    • Add cheese. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in freshly grated parmesan cheese. The cheese will cause the sauce to thicken up.
    • Whisk in a starch. Mix together a bit of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water until a paste forms. Slowly add the slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly. Allow the sauce to continue to simmer, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is thickened to your liking. Pro-tip: Use about 2-3 teaspoons of cornstarch for every cup of sauce you want to thicken.

    How To Make Worlds Best Spaghetti Raos Homemade Marinara Step By Step

    Raos

    1. Start by heating a pot of water for your pasta.

    2. In the meantime, finely chop an onion and 4 cloves of garlic.3. Heat a pot on medium heat and add extra virgin olive oil and crushed red pepper flakes. Use 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, I used 2 tbsp and didnt realize how oily Raos sauce is, you dont need all the extra oil.4. Once the pepper flakes sizzle for about 10 seconds, add the onion and garlic. Saute until golden, about 5 minutes.

    5. Heres the Raos sauce I used. YUM!

    6. Back to the onion this is what you should have.7. Add the Raos sauce.

    8. Season with 1/2 tsp of black pepper and salt to taste. Stir.9. Cover with a lid for about 10 minutes.

    10. In the meantime, check on the water. Follow the directions on the package and add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente.

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    Is Raos Vodka Sauce Gluten Free

    Raos Specialty Foods is a company that specializes in specialty foods. Although the companys website does not specify gluten-free, a representative claims that all Raos sauces are gluten-free.

    What Brand Of Vodka Sauce Is Gluten-Free? Most national brands of prepared pasta sauces, such as Bertolli, Classico, Emerils, and Raos Homemade, provide a gluten-free vodka sauce. Although Newmans Own contains nonfat dried milk, which is gluten-free in and of itself, there is a danger of cross-contamination in the manufacturing process.

    Is Raos Gluten-Free? RAOS Specialty Foods, Inc. now has a great gluten-free pasta line. Because #RAOS sauces are prepared from fresh ingredients, they are naturally gluten-free.

    What Is In Raos Vodka Sauce? OLIVE OIL, PARMESAN CHEESE , WHEY, ROMANO CHEESE , ONIONS, SALT, GARLIC, BASIL, BLACK PEPPER, OREGANO, VODKA, ITALIAN WHOLE PEELED TOMATOES (PEELED TOMATOES, TOMATO PUREE

    What Happens If Raos Homemade Made For Home Penna Alla Vodka Is Out Of Stock And I Need To Give Specific Instructions

    • Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
    • Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
    • Dont Replace: For items youd rather not replace, choose Dont replace to get a refund if the item is out of stock.

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