The homemade vodka sauce of this recipe really makes the dish.
1 1/2 lb. penne pasta 6 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 C. vodka 1/2 lb. Canadian bacon or smoked ham, diced 1/4 C. olive oil 2 28 oz. cans tomatoes, crushed 1 C. heavy cream 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper 1 medium onion, chopped 2 C. frozen peas 1/2 C. Romano cheese, grated
Sautee onion and garlic in olive oil until brown, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, Canadian bacon, crushed red pepper and peas and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add heavy cream and vodka and cook for 5 more minutes until sauce thickens. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, boil Penne pasta until it is al dente and drain. Place pasta on individual plates and top with tomato-vodka sauce and serve.