Hiya Gorgeous!
Today I’m going to show you how to make vegan penne alla vodka (aka Dirty Penne): a rich, creamy gluten-free vegan pasta recipe with a splash of vodka!
It’s super easy to make, and you can whip it up in a jiffy. I love keeping the ingredients on hand for when I don’t have a lot of time (or energy) to play in the kitchen. If you prefer to omit the vodka, that’s fine. The small amount of alcohol helps bring out the flavors. It also adds a bitter bite that goes well with the salty sweetness of the dish.
As always, I use recipes as guidelines–not hard-and-fast rules. So feel free to tinker, tweak and tickle ‘til your taste buds let out a genuine “Mmmm.”
I hope you enjoy! And remember to serve the dish with a big ole salad. If you need some new inspiration, we have lots of delicious recipes (and dressings) in Crazy Sexy Kitchen.
Vegan Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- Brown rice pasta (I like Tinkyada brand)
- 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I love Dave’s Gourmet & Crazy Sexy Kitchen’s Nana’s Marinara)
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup frozen organic peas
- 2 heaping tablespoons capers
- ¼ – ½ cup raw, unsalted cashews
- ½-1 cup water (to blend cashews)
- Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
- Splash of vodka (2-4 cap fulls or an ⅛ of a cup)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
1. Bring water to a boil and add a dash of salt to keep the pasta from sticking. Once the water is bubbling, add the pasta. Follow the directions on the package; it should take about 12 minutes or so.
2. To make the sauce, use your favorite jarred marinara as the base. Pour into a saucepan and add the garlic, peas, capers, plus a drizzle of olive oil and splash of vodka.
3. In a high-speed blender, blend the cashews and water until they are creamy. Add more or less water to suit your desires. Pour the cashew cream into the sauce and stir.
4. Cook on medium to low heat for about 15 minutes. Bathe the sauce all over the pasta and serve with a bright and tasty salad.
Now I’d love to hear from you, what’s your go-to meal choice when you don’t have much time in the kitchen?
I’m sure we’d all love to know. Our readers love the comments as much as the blog content. Bon appetit!
Peace & dirty pasta,
This is awesome! Even my meat loving boyfriend loves it!
Kris –
You mention that this particular pasta is easy to digest. Why would that be?
I’m always looking for foods that are easier to digest.
Thank you.
Elise Caron
This was delicious! I’ve made it over and over again. It’s a big hit with hubby too… which is why I’ve made it over and over again 🙂
Now, if only I could figure out how to make a vegan carbonara, harmony and joy would rule my house… you know, instead of chaos and tofu-whiners 😉
Thanks bunches!
Just made this again for dinner, it’s a favorite in our household 🙂 thanks Kris!
If I have an allergy to cashews, what other nut can I use to create the creamy sauce?
Kris, I could eat this every night. I don’t but I could. It seem especially soothing when my “monthly visitor” is here… This meal and my comfiest yoga pants 😉 Thank you, sweet lady!
Kris, one word girlfriend…YUMMO!
Thank you for sharing this recipe, brilliant!
Cheers!
Christine ツ
This is going to become my go-to meal. It was delicious! My best vegan meal so far. Although I have to say we just loved the Hearts of Palm crab cakes in your book!! YUM, Thanks, Kris!
I really love your crazy sexy recipes! thanks for sharing them on Facebook!
here is one of my favorite recipe which is an « entrée », i.e., before the main course.
Grate 2 carrots, add , peel and cut a pineapple into little pieces, cut one or two apples into little pieces, toss them to the carrots,add a spoon of pine kernel,, and splash some vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar , olive oil, grey salt and pepper.
It’s fresh and delicious, really!
Hello Kris,
I happen to come accross your site today, and I am so excited to get started. I am going to head to the grocery store after work and pick up the items to make your “Dirty Penne Pasta”. My question to you is, does your crazy, sexy, diet book have cooking recipes and smoothie recipies, or do I need to purchase three separate books?
Thank you,
Liz 🙂
Omg thank you for letting me know that I am not the only one who struggles to get the lid off of Dave’s Gourmet tomato sauces. It’s a testament to their deliciousness that I even put myself through that.
OMG! How is it that I am just trying this now? There was an Irish Pub (of all things) on 2nd Avenue in New York near the U.N. that served a mean Penne a la Vodka. Since dumping dairy & gluten in 2011 with the help of CSD, I have missed this dish. Cashew cream! Of course! Thanks, KC!
Kris Carr,
Have you ever considered creating food trucks? I know it would be a great way of getting healthy food in hard to reach environments.
Best,
Maude
Love it! So delicious – thank you.
Your penne a la vodka recipe looks so delicious! I love cashews, but can’t eat them, so I’ll try almonds instead and see how it is.
Can this dish be made without the vodka? My husband is allergic to alcohol. He’s so allergic, he can’t even drink kombucha!
Hi Kris!
I’m a fellow cancer survivor as well. I just made this pasta tonight and I am floored at how delicious it was! This was my first vegan dish I’ve cooked so I was pretty terrified. Thank you for making it so easy and simple.
You rock! Keep on inspiring!
Victoria~
Your recipe hit the spot on this cold, snowy afternoon. It was so yummy that I couldn’t tell it was GF and vegan. Thank you!
Pasta has always been my go to meal until I gave up gluten. This was my first attempt at GF pasta….success!
Thank you.
J
Yummy!