Most often, recipes for the classic Italian pasta dish, penne alla vodka, call for canned tomatoes. This one makes use of fresh tomatoes, making it an appealing and easy meal for summer.
Cook the pasta according to package directions in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the garlic and shallot or onion, and sauté over low heat until golden.
Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and ½ cup water to the saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cover. Simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Stir in the vodka and Italian seasoning and continue to cook over low heat, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer, or until everything melds into a thick, chunky sauce.
Sir in the nondairy milk, cook for anther minute or so longer, and remove from the heat.
Combine the tomato sauce and cooked pasta either in the pot in which you cooked the pasta, or a serving bowl. Season with salt, pepper, and hot red pepper flakes.
Stir in the basil, or pass it around for topping. Serve at once; pass around Vegan Parmesan if you’d like.