Penne alla vecchia bettola from Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust (page 158) by Ina Garten

Where’s the full recipe - why can I only see the ingredients?

Always check the publication for a full list of ingredients. An Eat Your Books index lists the main ingredients and does not include 'store-cupboard ingredients' (salt, pepper, oil, flour, etc.) - unless called for in significant quantity.

Notes about this recipe

  • carol_se9mwz on May 07, 2026

    I always add a little sugar to any tomato sauce. That’s what an Italian friend told me years ago.

  • cadfael on February 08, 2026

    Very delicious. I froze half the sauce. I hope it turns out as well.

  • julesamomof2 on October 29, 2025

    I've made this a few times and it's my go-to when I have time as it does require 90 min in the oven. It is worth it for the concentrated layers of flavor - so good!

  • Nrnarayan on August 14, 2025

    My go to vodka sauce now. This makes sauce for 8 easily, I love splitting it and putting half in the freezer for an easy meal down the road. If you do that I freeze it before adding the cream, but I bet it wouldn't matter.

  • Pamsy on June 05, 2025

    We really enjoyed this pasta sauce with rigatoni. Because it was a hot day, I couldn't bear having the oven on for 90 mins so cooked on the hob (med/low) for a couple of hours. 1/3rd of the recipe served 2 of us and I have frozen the remainder. I'm tempted to make double the recipe as my go-to tomato sauce for the freezer.

  • averythingcooks on April 03, 2023

    I made this to rescue some very ripe Roma tomatoes topped up with whole plum garden tomatoes from the freezer and it was STILL really good. I roasted the tomatoes on day 1 & finished it (blender, cream etc) on day 2. I added homemade pesto and used a mix of fresh basil & oregano. I also added leftover cooked sausage meat and we enjoyed this delicious (& very rich) pasta with focaccia. A 1/2 recipe made LOTS for 2 (ie at least 2 servings leftover) and I agree that this is an occasional treat with the large amount of heavy cream.

  • Thegirlwho on September 26, 2022

    Delicious but high calorie. I mix in frozen peas for color and to feel a little more healthy.

  • ginger2212 on February 09, 2022

    This is outstanding! I love adding leftover shredded chicken too and top with basil, rather than oregano.

  • KristenS on August 31, 2020

    The smell of the roasted tomatoes from the oven was amazing. I plan to make the sauce and use in a lasagna. The dish was delicious, plenty for a whole pound of pasta. Added grilled sausage. Will make again.

  • Mrs. L on May 17, 2020

    Loved this. Sauce thick but that’s okay. Add cooked sausages to leftovers.

  • anya_sf on February 03, 2019

    I only had 2/3 cup vodka, but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. I don't think the amount of vodka made a big difference. There was enough sauce for at least one pound of pasta. Sauce was very thick and rich. Good, but to me not worth the time or calories.

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