Penne A La Vodka With Broccoli - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb penne pasta
2 heads broccoli, florets only (about 8 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
6 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dices
1/3 cup vodka
1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, broken up with a spoon
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup basil leaves, torn

Preparation

Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook following package directions.
Add broccoli florets during last 4 minutes of cooking.
Drain and reserve.
While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
Add onion and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add Canadian bacon and vodka and cook 2 minutes.
Add whole tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste, salt and red-pepper flakes.
Simmer, covered, 10 minutes.
Stir in half-and-half, 1/4 cup of the cheese and half of the basil.
To serve, toss penne and broccoli with sauce and top with remaining cheese and basil.