Hello, hello!
I am SO excited to share this new recipe with you guys for vegan penne ala vodka because it’s actually heaven in a bowl. It’s creamy, savory, 100% plant-based and gluten-free optional if you use gluten-free pasta.
Cashews give it the amazing creaminess and this is made with absolutely no oil!
The first step of this recipe is to make the cashew cream. It’s just cashews, garlic and water. You’ll then add it into marinara sauce and stir until it’s that perfect penne ala vodka pink color….YUM!
It’s getting creamy in here.
Questions:
- Do I have to use cashews?! You can try using blanched almonds or tofu instead.
- Is there another pasta shape that would work with this instead of penne? You use shape of pasta you want. Rotini would be great, even a long pasta like linguini would be amazing.
- Can I use any kind of marinara sauce? YES! Any marinara sauce will do. I try to find marinara without added sugar.
- Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic? 100%. Just substitute 1 tsp garlic for the 4 fresh cloves.
- Does this store well in the fridge? Omg, yes. The leftovers are delicious. I made mine with whole wheat and it was even good cold right out of the fridge.
Serve the vegan penne ala vodka in a casserole dish or big bowl so it’s easy to serve family style. This is the perfect addition or even the main course that both kids and adults enjoy. Also, this is loved by non-vegans and vegans alike.
This is completely dairy-free but the cashews give the feeling of having a cheesy, rich pasta sauce.
Savory
Creamy
Rich
Decadent
Filling
Hearty
Cheesy
Bring this vegan penne ala vodka to a potluck, make it for meal prep and serve it with chickpeas and roasted veggies, make it for the holidays too!
This is a great dish to bring to Christmas or Hanukkah dinner. It’s festive, delicious, and so comforting + warm in this cold weather.
What are you waiting for? Get cooking!
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Vegan Penne Ala Vodka (oil-free)
the ingredients
- 16 oz penne pasta use gluten-free, whole wheat or regular
- 1 25 oz jar of marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1 cup cashews soaked or boiled
- 1 cup water
- 4 cloves of garlic
- fresh basil garnish
instructions
- Cook pasta according to box instructions.
- Boil cashews for 10 minutes until soft, then add into blender with 1 cup of water and garlic cloves. Blend until completely smooth.
- Add marinara and vodka to a large pan. Simmer on low for 10 minutes. Add in the cashew cream and stir. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss the sauce with the pasta, garnish with basil, salt and pepper.
- Eat fresh and enjoy!
Make this Vegan Shepherd’s Pie recipe for Christmas dinner!
Need another plant-based dinner idea? Try my plant-based chili with cashew sour cream!
Got your main courses covered but you need a vegan dessert? Make my amazing chocolate frosted chickpea brownies!
In good health,
Danielle
Is vodka even necessary?
You can omit it but otherwise it’s not vodka sauce 🙂
SO AMAZING ! Going to be one of our staples. We had some spicy vegan sausage leftover so we pan grilled that and tossed it in. Absolutely in love with this recipe! Thank you ❤️
THANK YOU Danielle!!! I had been avoiding cashew recipes, but tried this one and it was incredibly delicious. I’ve already made it twice…it will be a regular! ♥️
Wow! So great to hear from you! Thank you for leaving a review. This recipe is one of my favorites as well!
This is absolutely the best vodka sauce ever!! Easy and delicious! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This will be a regular at our house.
Hello Danielle
Love your recipes!!
I have a nuts allergy.
What can I use instead of cashew?
Thank you!!
tofu or white beans!
Wow wow wow! This recipe right here is on another level. Made some fresh marinara to go with the cashew sauce and I just have no words for how good this is. Thank you so much Danielle!! Your recipes are AMAZING!!
Gosh this was so good!! Quick, easy, but most importantly, delicious! Thank you so much!
We used Organic
FAT FREE
Marinara
Pasta Sauce from (365)Whole Foods with this recipe
No oil
It was amazing. I also like the comment about using vegan sausage.