Vegan Penne Alla Vodka

Growing up in quite the Italian-American family, it is a complete understatement to say I’ve eaten my fair share of penne alla vodka over the years. From family dinners to larger celebrations, it always seemed to make an appearance on the menu. However, I will confess that it was never something I really loved. It always felt a bit too heavy for me, which makes sense as it is typically made with a good amount of cream and parmesan cheese.

But today’s version? Not only does it taste pretty darn spot on to a traditional penne a la vodka, but I also don’t get that same weighed down feeling after enjoying it, meaning this has definitely become my go-to recipe!

Now, to give the dish that same rich and silky feel as the traditional version, we're using cashew cream in place of the heavy cream. Raw cashews are blended with a bit of veggie broth into a thick mixture that gives the pasta that desired texture. You can make the cashew cream in advance and store in a container in the fridge so it's ready to go for dinner. If you are like me and don’t own a high powered blender, don’t worry. It will still work! After blending for a bit, stop and scrape down the sides. Then process again until completely smooth. It takes a little longer, but does the trick.

Additionally, instead of trying to replace the parmesan cheese from the traditional dish, we are just boosting flavor elsewhere. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes add an extra layer of flavor (over regular diced tomatoes), and broth is used in the cashew cream instead of plain water. I also like to add plenty of red pepper flakes to give it a nice kick!

One final note - if you like your pasta on the super saucy side, you can start by adding less pasta to the skillet (and increase as desired). I personally think it is perfect as written, but experiment with what you like!

Recipe

Vegan Penne alla Vodka

With cashew cream and fire-roasted diced tomatoes, this vegan version of penne a la vodka is just as creamy and flavorful as the original!

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword: vegan pasta, Vegan Penne alla Vodka

Servings: 5 to 6 servings

Calories: 551kcal

Author: Oh My Veggies

Ingredients

For the cashew cream:

• ¾ cup raw cashews
• ½ cup vegetable broth

For the pasta:

• 1 pound uncooked penne
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion chopped
• 4 large cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup vodka
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Fresh chopped basil or parsley for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the cashew cream:

• Add the raw cashews to a small bowl. Cover with water and allow the cashews to soak for about 6 to 8 hours (or up to overnight). Drain and rinse well.
• Add the cashews and the broth to a blender. Process until completely smooth. Set aside.

For the pasta:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, add the olive oil to a large skillet set over medium heat. When hot, add in the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender and starting to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Add the tomatoes (with their juices), the vodka, salt and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until reduced slightly and the alcohol smell has cooked off (reducing the heat as needed).
• Turn off the heat and stir in the cashew cream. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until combined. Taste and season with additional salt and red pepper flakes as needed.
• Serve garnished with plenty of fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

Recipe time does not include time to let the cashews soak. Be sure to plan ahead.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcalCarbohydrates: 81gProtein: 17gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 380mgPotassium: 553mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 163IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 3mg

Craving more veg-friendly recipes? Shop our collection of vegetarian and vegan cookbooks, including our new Vegan Thanksgiving and Vegan Christmas cookbooks!