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Home » Main Dish » Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Published: Oct 3, 2018 · Modified: Apr 13, 2019 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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A dreamy, creamy Italian vodka sauce recipe that's healthy and dairy-free! Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka that's vegan, top 8 allergy-free, and perfect for a weeknight family dinner! Comfort food that won't weigh you down so you can ask for seconds!

penne-alla-vodka-close-up-side-pin

You may remember I was obsessed with my plans to make penne alla vodka once I turned 21 so I could go out and buy a bottle of vodka just to make this dish. Well, that was over a year ago and I never bought any vodka. I ended up just borrowing some from my brother because why wait when all I needed was ½ cup for this vodka sauce. This used to be one of my favorite Italian pasta dishes growing up (and giving me BIG tummy aches) so making a gluten-free and vegan version was more than a must! And let me tell you, this penne alla vodka was everything I dreamed it would be!

centered-front-penne-alla-vodka-sauce

So what is "penne alla vodka" and why is it so good?

First, you have penne pasta, obviously, and any pasta dish is bound to be delicious! Now imagine a super creamy, cream-based tomato sauce with the fragrant, fruity aroma from the vodka. That distinct, slightly sweet taste forms because vodka is an "abundant source of ethyl alcohol that during cooking, can react chemically with acids in the food to form fragrant, fruity compounds called esters" (source). The unusual in Italian cooking, the specific mixture of the tomato + heavy cream + vodka allow the sauce to actually "work" even though, "the acidity of the tomatoes tends to make the oil in the cream separate" but, "the vodka serves as an emulsifier, allowing the water and lipids to remain mixed together," creating that perfect creamy and iconic, aromatic, orange colored sauce!

overhead-gluten-free-penne-vodka-half-bowl

Penne vodka was just one of those tried-and-true Italian dishes I would always order when we went out to an Italian restaurant, had a family gathering, weddings, those types of events. It was always a safe option for this pasta loving little girl. It was always a "special occasion" dish; we never had it at home (although that's probably because my mom was not keen on cooking!) It's also not a picture of health. From the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, some versions even include prosciutto or bacon! Not a light meal to say the least (but super delicious!)

bowl-penne-vodka-fork-bite

How do you lighten penne alla vodka up?

Simple! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 and pretty close to impossible to mess up! Grab your gluten-free penne, cooked al dente. Saute a chopped shallot, garlic, pepper, and a splash of olive oil. Then add in the vodka, plain tomato sauce, coconut milk, and our obligatory nutritional yeast for that dairy-free cheesiness! Then just stir in the cooked pasta to the simmering sauce and voila! Penne alla vodka is one of the most simple, yet magically delicious pasta recipes to have ever been devised!

half-close-up-gluten-free-vegan-penne-alla-vodka

Hold on! Isn't vodka flavorless? And what happens to the alcohol content?

Legitimate questions I know you're wondering! Don't worry, I'm not trying to get your family drunk either! Like I mentioned earlier, "undiluted alcohol overpowers natural flavors, but smaller traces (typically achieved by “burning off” the vodka) actually release new flavors. So it’s not that vodka adds flavor, it's that it unlocks flavors already hidden in the tomato" (source). The alcohol content is mostly "burned off" through the slow simmering process of making the sauce. And as that article also point out, the minimal amount of alcohol that is left is distributed throughout the ENTIRE sauce and this recipe serves 6! As long as you simmer, you'll be fine!

Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka

front-vegan-penne-alla-vodka-in-bowl

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Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

penne-alla-vodka-close-up-side-pin
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A dreamy, creamy Italian vodka sauce recipe that's healthy and dairy-free! Easy Lightened Up Gluten-Free Penne alla Vodka that's vegan, top 8 allergy-free, and perfect for a weeknight family dinner! Comfort food that won't weigh you down so you can ask for seconds!

  • Author: Rebecca Pytell
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 12oz Box Gluten-Free Penne Pasta
  • Vodka Sauce:
  • 1 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Large Shallot (minced)
  • 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
  • ½ Tsp Black Pepper
  • ½ Cup Gluten-Free Vodka (Smirnoff is great!)
  • 1 15oz Can Plain Unsalted Tomato Sauce
  • ½ Cup Lite Unsweetened Canned Coconut Milk
  • ¼ Cup Nutritional Yeast
  • Fresh Parsley (to top)

Instructions

  1. Cook the penne, al dente, according to package directions, drain.
  2. In the meantime, in a large sauce pan, saute the olive oil, shallot, garlic, and pepper until fragrant.
  3. Now slowly pour in the vodka and allow it to simmer for 8-10 minutes before adding the tomato sauce, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast.
  4. Mix well and allow the sauce to continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.
  5. Fold in the cooked penne and serve with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rebeccagf666 on Instagram and hashtag it #strengthandsunshine

overhead-pin-gluten-free-penne-alla-vodka

You can't simmer your sauce too long. Just like a soup, a homemade sauce just gets better and better with time! So hands off, let it do it's 'thang! You'll have a delicious and healthy gluten-free Italian pasta dinner in no time. Full of flavor, aroma, and family-approved way to have "alcohol"! And if for some reason you don't want penne alla vodka, you could make some gluten-free PIZZA alla vodka? Swap that typical pizza sauce for VODKA sauce!

So tell me:

+ What's your favorite Italian pasta sauce?

———————————————-

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andy Bishop

    October 17, 2018 at 11:06 am

    Thanks for sharing. My husband loved it!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 17, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Awesome! I'm so glad to hear you made it!

      Reply
  2. Jo

    October 09, 2018 at 3:30 pm

    This looks absolutely delicious. But to be honest, you had me at ‘vodka’

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 09, 2018 at 4:36 pm

      Too bad it's all cooked off!

      Reply
  3. Mallaury

    October 04, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    This looks so simple yet so delicious. My fave pasta sauce is alfredo sauce!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 05, 2018 at 7:38 am

      I have a recipe for that on the blog 🙂

      Reply
  4. Adriana

    October 04, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Looks tasty 😋 I eat pasta way too much.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      Haha, well here is a great lightened up version!

      Reply
  5. Lora Bishop

    October 04, 2018 at 1:45 pm

    This sounds delicious and healthy! It also looks easy enough that I can cook it - woo!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      It's simple! Just simmer that sauce well and you're golden!

      Reply
  6. Corinne

    October 04, 2018 at 12:29 pm

    This looks so darn good I can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      Let me know when you do!

      Reply
  7. Marisa Hernandez

    October 04, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    this recipe looks like perfection!! I'm going to try it soon and definitely pinning to share with friends!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Glad to hear it! Enjoy, Marisa!

      Reply
  8. Leah Ashley

    October 03, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    This looks amazing and sounds incredible but I have to ask. What is your trick to cooking gluten free pasta? Everytime I try it seems to fall apart.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 7:58 am

      Never over cook and it's all about the pasta you use! Some brands are terrible!

      Reply
  9. Leigh Suznovich

    October 03, 2018 at 10:44 pm

    Love the use of the nutritional yeast here to give it that cheesy texture. Looks so wonderful!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 7:58 am

      The one and only!

      Reply
  10. Jay | Life of Creed

    October 03, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    Looks delicious! It's a quick and easy recipe to make. It's a dish my family would enjoy! Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 7:57 am

      It's great for a family meal!

      Reply
  11. Erin Haugerud

    October 03, 2018 at 8:33 pm

    Oh this looks so good! I love the lightened version!! I’m gonna have to try it!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 7:57 am

      It is just as delicious!

      Reply
  12. Briana

    October 03, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    You had me at vegan free!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 04, 2018 at 7:57 am

      Ha, what?

      Reply
  13. Annaliese

    October 03, 2018 at 5:06 pm

    Oh this is one of my favs! I always order this at Italian restaurants. SO smart to make a GF version!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 5:34 pm

      Right? Me too! So good!

      Reply
  14. Victoria

    October 03, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    I love penne alla vodka! This recipe is making me sooo hungry.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      It is SUCH a great classic!

      Reply
  15. Linda

    October 03, 2018 at 4:06 pm

    This looks so good! Saving the recipe.

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 5:31 pm

      Glad to hear, enjoy!

      Reply
  16. Caroline Rogers

    October 03, 2018 at 9:58 am

    Thank you for sharing! As someone who is celiac I always love looking up gf alternatives and will have to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      I hope this can bring back the classic for you!

      Reply
  17. Sara | mshealthesteem.com

    October 03, 2018 at 9:52 am

    Yea... I need to make this ASAP! It looks bonkers amazing 😍. I'm a sucker for a good pasta. Can't wait to try this one. Thank you tons for sharing your recipe 😊

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      You can never go wrong with a good cozy pasta dish!

      Reply
  18. joy abou zeid

    October 03, 2018 at 9:50 am

    Very nice post, thanks for sharing this recipe!!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Lol, glad you think so.

      Reply
  19. Chloe @callmecoco.co

    October 03, 2018 at 7:25 am

    I never tried pasta with a vodka sauce and I'm quite curious about the taste! Seems like a really nice recipe and your pictures made me hungry straight away!

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      October 03, 2018 at 7:56 am

      O my gosh!! That's not okay! You need to make this asap!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services! More about me



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