Sharing our family’s favorite penne vodka sauce recipe. This is our go-to vodka sauce that is healthier than the usual, easy to make and comes together in under 20 minutes.

Sharing our family's favorite penne vodka sauce recipe. This is our go-to vodka sauce that is healthier than the usual, easy to make and comes together in under 20 minutes.

When I used to go out for dinner with my family at any Italian restaurant – I always ordered the penne vodka growing up. Literally every time. The only time I would gravitate towards something else was for pizza. But when it comes to penne vodka – that was my ride or die. But no peas please (don’t @ me). I just can’t get down with peas in my vodka sauce.

But today we are making the most epic penne vodka sauce together. It is so easy and creamy and flavorful. And my stomach is growling just typing this blog post right now. It is hands down going to be your favorite vodka sauce recipe you will come back to over and over again. Not to mention it also makes killer leftovers the next day for lunch.

I cannot wait to hear what you guys think. Let me know if you make it!

What ingredients are in the best vodka sauce recipe:

  • Penne of choice (I used these grain-free ones)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Garlic cloves, minced
  • Tomato paste
  • Vodka
  • Non-dairy milk (I used full-fat coconut milk)
  • Unsalted butter
  • Grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping

How to make a healthy and easy penne vodka sauce:

  1. Cook pasta per box and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water
  2. Warm a large skillet with oil and add in the garlic and cook for 3 minutes
  3. Add in the tomato paste and caramelize a bit for 3 minutes, stirring consistently
  4. Add in the vodka and cook for 5 minutes, mixing often
  5. Mix in the pasta water, milk and butter and cook over low heat
  6. Next mix in the cheese and cook for anther 2-3 minutes
  7. Toss in the penne and serve! Add more cheese as desired

A few of our other popular healthy pasta recipes to make:

The Best Vegan Afredo Pasta Recipe

No-Boil Broccoli Rabe + Sausage Baked Pasta

Creamy Pumpkin Bacon Carbonara Pasta!

Our Favorite Pesto Lasagna Roll Ups (gluten-free)

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Our Family’s Favorite Penne Vodka Sauce Recipe!

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Sharing our family’s favorite penne vodka sauce recipe. This is our go-to vodka sauce that is healthier than the usual, easy to make and comes together in under 20 minutes.

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 25 mins

Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces penne of choice (I used these grain-free ones)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2/3 cup tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons vodka
  • 1 cup non-dairy milk (I used full-fat coconut milk)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup + grated Parmesan cheese plus more for toping

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta per box and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water
  2. Warm a large skillet with oil and add in the garlic and cook for 3 minutes
  3. Add in the tomato paste and caramelize a bit for 3 minutes, stirring consistently
  4. Add in the vodka and cook for 5 minutes, mixing often
  5. Mix in the pasta water, milk and butter and cook over low heat
  6. Next mix in the cheese and cook for anther 2-3 minutes
  7. Toss in the penne and serve! Add more cheese as desired

Notes

*Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge for 5 days. I reheat in microwave usually with splash of water or a little oil

  • Author: Rachel
  • Category: gluten-free, vegetarian
  • Cuisine: entree, lunch, pasta