Pasta and Tomatoes, Reimagined

• recipe

  Penne alla Vodka

  Splashes of vodka and cream can turn run-of-the-mill tomato sauce into luxurious restaurant fare—or a heavy, boozy mistake. We set out to fine-tune this modern classic.

• recipe

  Pasta Caprese

  This summer dish combines ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil with hot pasta. Preventing the cheese from turning into bubble gum presented a gooey problem.

• equipment

  Stockpots

  Do you have to spend big money for a big pot?

• taste test

  Penne

  Are the specialty brands and Italian imports worth the extra price?