Madi's Vodka Penne Pasta

My friend Madison gave me this recipe.  It is super simple and unbelievably delicious.  You can add shrimp, chicken or sausage to this recipe to add some protein but it is wonderful on it's own too!

1 lb penne pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/3 cup vodka
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1 28-oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 14-oz can of diced tomatoes, drained
Grated parmesan cheese

Cook the pasta.  While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Add garlic to the olive oil and saute for ~4 minutes (do not let garlic brown).  Add vodka and cayenne pepper (1/4 tsp pepper for kinda spicy, 1/2 tsp pepper for very spicy).  Cook for 3-4 minutes until vodka is reduced by about half.  Add the crushed and diced tomatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Add cream and salt and cook for 3-4 additional minutes.  Drain the pasta and serve sauce over the penne with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Variations:
If adding chicken or sausage-  brown the chicken or sausage and set aside before making the sauce.  Add the chicken or sausage with the cream and salt step of the recipe and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.

If adding uncooked shrimp- add in the shrimp with the cream and salt step of the recipe and cook for an additional ~8 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked.