Irresistible Oven-Baked Vodka Tomato Cream Pasta

Ingredients

- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled plum tomatoes, crushed by hand
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Sauce Base: In an oven-safe Dutch oven or deep baking dish, melt butter over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.

3. Deglaze with Vodka: Carefully pour in the vodka, using a wooden spoon to stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer until the liquid reduces by half, approximately 3-5 minutes.

4. Add Tomato Ingredients: Stir in the hand-crushed plum tomatoes, tomato paste, and canned crushed tomatoes. Season with salt to taste. Mix everything thoroughly, ensuring the tomato paste is well incorporated.

5. Oven Cooking: Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil. Transfer to the oven and bake for 50 minutes.

6. Creamy Finish: After baking, remove the dish from the oven. Slowly stir in the heavy cream, followed by the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted into the sauce, creating a creamy consistency.

7. Final Touches: Toss in the chopped fresh oregano leaves, giving the sauce a bright, herby finish. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.

8. Serve: Your sauce is now ready to be poured over cooked pasta of your choice. Garnish with additional fresh oregano and extra Parmesan for a professional presentation.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time: PT15M
15 minutes

- Cooking Time: PT50M
50 minutes

Total Time

- PT65M
65 minutes

Type of Dish

- Dinner

Keywords

- Oven-Baked Vodka Sauce
- Creamy Tomato Pasta
- Dinner
- Italian-Inspired
- Comfort Food
- Baked Pasta Recipe
- Cheese Sauce
- Family Meal
- Easy Pasta Dinner
- Delicious Pasta Dish

Recipe Yield

- Feeds 4 adults

Calories

- 1,250 calories (total for the sauce)

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