Penne Alla Vodka

Ingredients

1 box penne pasta

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 large finely chopped shallot ( or small onion)

2 to 3 finely chopped garlic cloves

3 slices chopped bacon (can be eliminated for veggie option, just saute shallot and garlic in olive oil)

1/4 cup vodka

1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated parmesan plus more for topping

Boil water for pasta. And meanwhile prepare the sauce.

In a large saute pan, cook the bacon until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon and the remaining fat except for about 1 tablespoon. Sweat the shallot and garlic in the remaining tablespoon of bacon fat until translucent and softened. Pour in the vodka and cook until the liquid is almost gone. Add the tomatoes and simmer while cooking the pasta to al dente. Add the parmesan and stir. Just before the pasta is done, add in the cream and bacon. Drain the pasta while reserving about a half cup of the pasta water. Add the al dente pasta to the sauce and finishing cooking all together. Use the pasta water to thin sauce if needed.

Serve in individual bowls and top with more parmesan.