For Dinner Tonight

This is one of Andy's favorite recipes. The inspiration came from a favorite restaurant of ours, a mile from our house called Gar'Angelo's. We'd walk down to get their amazing Gorgonzola bread and colorful antipasta to celebrate the big and small milestones. When we decided on our bridal party, closed on our new house... ahh, the memories. But they closed a year ago, leaving us to find another favorite. Thankfully, though, I had worked to perfect Andy's favorite dish to recreate it any time, in our own home and for much cheaper!

Don't let it fool you. It is extremely easy, taking all of 10 minutes to prepare. I usually cook the sausage earlier in the day and have it all cut up before dinner time. That way, I just throw the rest of the ingredients together and cook the pasta when Andy gets home. You can make it as spicy as you'd like (and you don't have to add the Vodka if you'd prefer not to.) But it is delicious. Also, please do not tell my Italian grandmother that I use jarred tomato sauce. I may be only half Italian, but still, that's blasphemy to a true-blood :)

Enjoy!

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce

1 # uncooked penne pasta
¼ c. extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 jar of tomato sauce
¾ tsp. salt
2 T. Vodka
½ c. heavy whipping cream
¼ c. chopped fresh parsley
2-3.5 oz. links sweet Italian sausage

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In large skillet, heat oil over moderate heat. Cook sausage, then cut into smaller pieces. Add garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring until garlic is golden brown. Add tomato sauce and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add Vodka and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and add pasta, toss for 1 minute. Stir in fresh parsley and serve. Yield: 4 servings.