Penne Alla Vodka

From the Sopranos cookbook. We make this with 13.5 oz of penne, 3.5 tbsp butter and 3 oz prosciutto, so that's how I entered it, and it was wonderful

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 pound

Ingredients

• 3 1⁄2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2  large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3  ounces  thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips
• 1 (28 ounce) can  italian peeled tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 1⁄4 cup vodka
•  salt
• 13 1⁄2 ounces penne
• 1⁄2 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. in a skillet large enough to hold the cooked pasta, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes. Stir in the prosciutto and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the tomatoes and crushed red pepper and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook, stirring well, for 1 minute. Add the vodka and cook for 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
3. Meanwhile, bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta and salt to taste. Cook, stirring frequently, until the penne is al dente, tender yet still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water.
4. Add the pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss the pasta until it is well coated. Add a little of the reserved cooking water if the sauce seems too thick. Add in the cheese and toss again. Serve immediately.