Penne Ala Vodka

I went to a Living Proof Live event this weekend and we talked about food on our way home. It made me think of this recipe. It is one of our favorites and I didn't know if I had shared it or not.

Penne Ala Vodka

1 package sausage (Italian Turkey Sausage)
2 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 large can crushed tomatoes (28oz.)
¼ cup vodka
½ teaspoon salt
½-1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (We like it spicy, so I use 1 teaspoon)
¾ cup fat free half and half
1 cup skim milk

Cook garlic in olive oil for about 2 minutes, add sausage; cook until sausage is browned. Add tomatoes and vodka and simmer for about 3 minutes (this cooks off the alcohol). Season with salt and hot red pepper flakes. Add the half and half and milk and simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve over Penne Pasta. (At this point, you can put the sauce in a crock pot to stay warm. Sometimes I cook it in the morning and keep it in the crock pot all day to let the flavors marry and then we eat if for dinner.)

Freezing instructions: Cook as directed above. Allow to cool and store in freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator 24 hours before serving. Heat the sauce in the microwave, on the stove top or in the crock pot (High 2 hours or Low 4 hours). Serve over Penne Pasta.

The original recipe called for1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, but we altered the recipe to be low fat. We also are using turkey Italian sausage and the original called for Italian or Breakfast sausage.

Weight Watchers Points: (sauce only)
1cup= 4points
½ cup=2 points