Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce and Italian Sausage

Penne with Spicy Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce Servings: 8 Ingredients 1 pound uncooked penne pasta ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 (3.5 ounce) links sweet Italian sausage 4 cloves garlic, minced ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes ¾ teaspoon salt ½ cup heavy whipping cream (3/4 c) 2 tablespoons vodka (1/4 c) ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (spinach to taste) (onion powder to taste) Directions This spicy vodka pasta is a nice change from your typical tomato sauce. If you're worried about the alcohol, don't be! It cooks off and cannot be tasted. It simply helps to enhance the flavors. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove casing from sausage and add to the skillet. Cook and stir until crumbly and brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook and stir until garlic is golden brown. Add tomatoes and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add cream and vodka; bring to boil. Add spinach when almost done boiling. Reduce heat to low and add pasta; toss for 1 minute. Stir in parsley (if used); serve warm. **Notes: Original recipe called for less vodka and heavy cream, but I did what is above. I also added onion powder to taste. Macey www.allrecipes.com/11815