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A plate of penne with vodka sauce and a glass of wine.

Vegan Vodka Sauce

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  • Author: Laurel Perry
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Easy Vegan Vodka Sauce is dreamy creamy, packed with tomato flavor, and perfect for tossing with penne pasta! Ready in 30 minutes!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1 pound pasta, preferably penne
  • 1/2 cup pasta water - reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid to add to the sauce
  • Parmesan, optional, to garnish
  • Fresh basil, optional, to garnish

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later. Drain the pasta and set aside.

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper cooking until fragrant, about 60 seconds. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes.

Add in the vodka, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer to cook out the alcohol for 2-3 minutes.

Stir in the raw cashews and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes to soften the cashews and bring out the flavors in the sauce.

Transfer the sauce and reserved pasta water to a blender and blend until smooth.

Add the sauce and cooked pasta back to the pot and toss until coated. Garnish with basil and vegan parmesan.


Notes

Butter: I use my homemade vegan butter recipe or Miyoko's brand.

Red pepper flakes: Feel free to omit, use more or less to suit your desired spice level.

Vodka: If you don't want to use vodka, no problem! You can substitute water or broth.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6th recipe
  • Calories: 374
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 287mg
  • Fat: 13g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 50g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 11g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg