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    Home » Recipes » Fall

    Published: Feb 21, 2022 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Vegan Vodka Sauce Pasta

    This easy vegan vodka sauce pasta (penne alla vodka) is the perfect weeknight dinner. It's bursting with flavor and made with simple pantry ingredients. Tastes just like the real deal—you won't guess it's dairy-free and vegan! (Gluten Free option)
    Jump to Recipe
    A plate of vegan vodka sauce pasta
    A plate of vegan vodka sauce pasta, with a small dish of vegan parmesan, fork, and water glass.

    Everyone needs an easy weeknight pasta recipe. This vegan vodka sauce pasta (penne alla vodka) is perfect for when you're craving a cozy dinner, but don't want to go to the grocery store. This recipe calls for simple pantry ingredients like olive oil, garlic, onion, tomato paste—and pasta, of course!

    The sauce is silky, creamy, and loaded with umami. The trick is cooking down tomato paste until its caramelized and dark red. This step tempers the tomato paste's raw flavor, to create a deeply flavorful and savory sauce. What we love most about this recipe is that it tastes just like the real deal, even though it's completely vegan and dairy-free. We make this yummy pasta often—and think that you should too!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients (and substitutes)
    • How to make (step-by-step photos)
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Loaded with flavor: This quick-cooking recipe packs a ton of flavor! Cooking a whole tube of tomato paste, until its dark red and caramelized, creates a deeply savoury tomato flavor—all in a short amount of time. And, once it's combined with onion, garlic, and vegan parmesan, it's a match made in heaven!
    • No coconut: Many vegan vodka sauce pastas use canned coconut milk for creaminess. But this often adds a slight but noticeable coconut flavor to the sauce. We prefer to use cashews instead, because they're more neutral in flavor, so the rest of the ingredients can shine through. (And, you won't be left with a half-used can of coconut milk after!)
    • A short list of pantry ingredients: This recipe calls for less than 10 ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry—like pasta, tomato paste, salt, garlic, and onion.
    • Undetectably vegan: Thanks to neutral-tasting cashews and vegan parmesan cheese, this finished dish tastes just like regular vodka sauce pasta! If you're not vegan, you could use regular parmesan cheese instead—but for best results, we recommend you keep the cashews as the creamy component.

    This vodka sauce pasta is flavorful, saucy, and super creamy!

    Vegan vodka sauce pasta with a creamy, silky red sauce.

    Ingredients (and substitutes)

    You'll need less than 10 ingredients to make this flavorful vegan vodka sauce pasta. And, you may already have most of these ingredients in your pantry!

    Ingredients to make vegan vodka sauce pasta, including dried penne, garlic, onion, tomato paste, vodka, cashews, and vegan parmesan cheese
    • Raw cashews: Cashews give this sauce a creamy, luscious texture without any dairy. Use raw cashews—not roasted or salted—so the cashews don't introduce an unintended flavor to the sauce.
    • Tomato paste: Tomato paste is the source of tomato flavor in this sauce. Caramelizing the tomato paste helps elevate the flavor. We recommend using a double-concentrated tomato paste, because it has a more intense flavor. Often, double-concentrated tomato paste is sold in tubes rather than cans.
    • Vodka: It's not quite vodka sauce without it! But if you're in a pinch, you could try using white wine or vegetable stock instead—you do need to use some kind of liquid to deglaze and loosen any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
    • Penne (or other pasta): We used penne for a classic penne alla vodka. But, you could use a different noodle, such as rigatoni or rotini.
    • Vegan parmesan: Choose a finely grated cheese that will meld into the sauce (like the cheese sold in a shaker bottle). We used a store-bought vegan grated parmesan. We don't recommend using a homemade cashew "parmesan"(or similar) in the sauce, because it won't melt into a smooth and silky sauce. If you're not vegan, you could use regular parmesan instead.

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    How to make (step-by-step photos)

    It's easy to make this vegan vodka sauce pasta. Here are the steps to make it:

    A white bowl of raw cashews with hot water from a kettle being poured on top.
    1. Pour boiling water over the cashews to soften them while you're cooking.
    A pan of diced onions cooked until pale golden, with fresh sliced garlic cloves
    2. Cook onions until pale golden around the edges, then add garlic and red pepper flakes.
    Caramelized tomato paste with onions and garlic, with vodka being poured into the pan for vodka sauce pasta
    3. Add the tomato paste and cook until it is dark red and caramelized, then add vodka to deglaze.
    Vegan vodka sauce ingredients (onions, garlic, tomato paste, cashews) in a blender container about to be blended
    4. Combine the sauce ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
    Creamy vegan vodka sauce in a pan, being stirred with a spoon
    5. Pour the vegan vodka sauce back into the pot and heat.
    Cooked pasta being added to a pan of vegan vodka sauce
    6. Add the cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, vegan parmesan, and toss to combine.

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does vodka do in vodka sauce?

    Vodka helps enhance the flavors in the sauce, primarily through aroma. At low concentrations—like in this vodka sauce recipe—"the alcohol enhances the release of fruity esters and other aroma molecules into the air" (source). Adding vodka to vodka sauce pasta results in a delicious, balanced sauce.

    Can I make vodka sauce without vodka?

    You could make vodka sauce without vodka—but it won't have quite the same flavor. In a pinch, you can substitute white wine (which has a lower alcohol content). Or, if you don't consume alcohol, you can use vegetable stock instead. That said, in this sauce, you can't really taste the vodka—and much of the alcohol content evaporates—so if you can, we highly recommend following the recipe and adding vodka.

    What to serve with vegan penne alla vodka?

    Vodka sauce pasta is quite satisfying, so you can definitely enjoy it on its own. That said, you could serve penne alla vodka with: Vegan Caesar Salad, Pesto Pea Spinach Salad, or garlic bread.

    A dinner table with plates of vegan vodka sauce pasta, water glasses, small dish of vegan parmesan cheese

    Check out these other pasta recipes:

    • Spicy Plant-Based Sausage and Brussels Sprouts Pasta
    • Lemon Swiss Chard Pasta
    • Butternut Squash Pasta with Toasted Breadcrumbs
    • One Pot Tomato Harissa Orzo Pasta
    • Mushroom Stroganoff

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan Vodka Sauce Pasta

    This easy vegan vodka sauce pasta (penne alla vodka) is the perfect weeknight dinner. It's bursting with flavor and made with simple pantry ingredients. Tastes just like the real deal—you won't guess it's dairy-free and vegan! (Gluten Free option)
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 6
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    A white plate of vegan vodka sauce pasta with vegan parmesan sprinkled on top.
    Print

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup raw cashews
    • 1⅓ cup boiling water
    • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1½ cups diced yellow onion (about 1 medium)
    • 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 (5.3 oz/150g) tube tomato paste (double concentrated, see note 1)
    • 1 lb dried penne (see note 2)
    • ¼ cup vodka
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ⅓ cup grated vegan Parmesan (more for garnish, see note 3)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Quick soak cashews: Add cashews and boiling water to a small heatproof bowl. Let soak (for at least 10 minutes) while you cook (see note 4).
    • Boil water for pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
    • Start sauce: Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, cook until golden around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until it's dark red and sticking to the bottom of the pot, 8 to 10 minutes. (If the tomato paste sticks as soon as you add it, reduce the heat slightly and continue cooking until the olive oil turns red).
    • Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Scoop out 2 cups of the pasta water and set aside, then drain noodles.
    • Finish sauce: Pour vodka over the tomato paste mixture. Cook until the liquid evaporates, about 1 minute, while scraping up anything stuck to the bottom of the pot. Transfer mixture to a high-speed blender, along with cashews AND soaking water. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
    • Combine: Pour the sauce back into the pot. Add salt and ¾ cup of the reserved pasta water. Warm over medium-low heat until bubbling, then add noodles and parmesan. Toss to coat. Add small splashes of more pasta water until noodles are coated in a luscious sauce. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Garnish with more parmesan and serve.

    Notes

    1. Tomato Paste: Choose double-concentrated tomato paste if you can find it. It has been cooked down more, to create a more intense flavor. Double-concentrated tomato paste is often found in tubes (rather than cans).
    2. Pasta: Instead of penne, you could use a different noodle such as rigatoni or rotini. Choose gluten-free pasta, if needed.
    3. Vegan Parmesan: Choose your favorite store-bought meltable vegan parmesan. We recommend a finely grated parmesan (like the ones sold in shaker containers) so that it melds into the sauce.
    4. If you don't have a high-speed blender: A high speed blender can typically pulverize cashews quite easily—even unsoaked ones! This recipe calls for a quick soak in boiling water for at least 10 minutes to make them soft so they blend very easily. If you don't have a high-speed blender, soak the cashews for at least 30 minutes.  And if for some reason you notice any small pieces of cashew after blending, strain the sauce before adding it back to the pot.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 282mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. David says

      January 19, 2023 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe! Super easy to make and doesn't taste "vegan".

      Reply
      • bri says

        January 21, 2023 at 3:24 am

        Hi David! Glad to hear you enjoyed this vodka sauce pasta. Thanks for sharing:)

        Reply
    2. Sara J says

      January 02, 2023 at 12:28 am

      5 stars
      Yummy! I'm trying to eat plant-based for January so I made this for dinner. Even my vegan-hesitant husband loved it. He went for seconds!

      Reply
      • bri says

        January 02, 2023 at 6:05 am

        Hi Sara! Woohoo, sounds like this recipe was a win! Glad to hear you and your husband both enjoyed it. Have a lovely start to the new year!

        Reply
    3. Pauline G says

      June 22, 2022 at 5:16 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is SO GOOD! I made it for dinner and have already sent the recipe to my friends to make. Really easy vegan recipe. Thanks!

      Reply
      • bri says

        June 26, 2022 at 7:53 pm

        Hi Pauline! That's so kind of you to share this recipe with friends. We're happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    4. Lauren says

      February 28, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      I was looking for a vegan vodka pasta online and chose this one because I already had everything. Delicious!! I wouldn't change a thing.

      Reply
      • bri says

        March 03, 2022 at 7:33 am

        Hi Lauren! Woohoo, so happy to hear you found this recipe online! And even better that you enjoyed it:) We really appreciate you taking the time to write in, thank you!

        Reply
    5. Scarlett says

      February 24, 2022 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      Made this for date night! So yummy. My meat-eating boyfriend loved it and he's already requested we make it again:)

      Reply
      • bri says

        February 28, 2022 at 7:55 pm

        Hi Scarlett! We LOVE that you made this pasta for date night! We're happy that it was a hit! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Reply

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