Whole-wheat penne and kale tossed in vegan sun-dried tomato vodka sauce. This virtuously hearty, plant-based pasta is weeknight-friendly and kid-approved.
The Best Vegan Vodka Sauce:
When all you want is a bowl of creamy pasta, let this recipe be the answer. I like to think of it as a healthier, adult (yet kid-friendly) version of vodka sauce, but with Mediterranean flair.
The velvety sauce gets its luscious creaminess from blended cashews, while sun-dried tomatoes add a bright punch of flavor. Every time I cook with sun-dried tomatoes, I'm quickly reminded how much I appreciate their intense flavor and delicate sweetness. In addition to blending them into sauces, they're also divine tossed in salads or used as a crostini topper.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
In short, nutritional yeast is a dairy-free seasoning especially favored by vegans for its savory, cheesey flavor. I use nutritional yeast the same way I would grated cheese; for example, tossed in salads, stirred into soups, or sprinkled over pasta.
Nutritional yeast is sodium-free and actually packs a hefty bit of protein into each serving. Additionally, many brands are fortified with vitamin B12, an essential vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells and preventing a certain type of anemia. 
What to Eat with Vodka Sauce:
This recipe is endlessly riffable using your favorite protein or vegetables. For example, if you're not trying to keep it plant-based, add ground sausage, grilled chicken, or even shrimp. Additionally, it's delicious with sautéed mushrooms and tempeh for a jolt of plant-based protein.
And if you wind up with leftover sauce, use it in anything from salads and grain bowls to a meat or fish topper. It's versatile flavor compliments just about any protein, vegetable, or grain you pair it with.
If you make this recipe, be sure to tag #dishingouthealth so I can see your beautiful creations!
More Healthy Pasta Recipes:
Creamy Cauliflower Pasta
30 Minute Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta with Brussels
20 Minute Parslied Pea Pesto Pasta
Pasta with Vegan Vodka Sauce
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup raw cashews
- 1 cup warm water
- ½ cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 Tbsp. nutritional yeast or grated parmesan cheese if not making plant-based
- 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb. whole-wheat penne or pasta of choice
- 3 cups roughly chopped lacinato kale
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Soak cashews in 1 cup warm water for 20 minutes.
- Transfer cashews and soaking water to a blender. Add sun-dried tomatoes, nutritional yeast (or cheese), lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper; blend until smooth.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Reserve 1 cup pasta water; drain remaining. Transfer cooked pasta back to pot and place back on burner with heat turned off; add ½ cup reserved pasta water and kale; toss pasta continuously for about 1 minute, until kale begins to wilt. Alternate adding cashew sauce and remaining pasta water, stirring continuously, until sauce coats noodles and desired level of creaminess is achieved. (Note: you may not end up using all of reserved pasta water or sauce, but better to have extra.) Divide pasta evenly onto each of 5 plates. Garnish with additional chopped cashews and fresh basil, if desired.
Nutrition
Jetlag
It looks amazing and will definitely be trying soon. One question though…. Where is the Vodka? Or have I missed the point and this makes it kid friendly?? My kids are grown, so would love the Vodka! 🤣
Jamie Vespa
Haha! Ok so technically this recipe doesn't have vodka, but the taste is SO similar to vodka sauce! Here is another vodka sauce recipe on my blog that DOES include vodka, though: https://dishingouthealth.com/pumpkin-alla-vodka-pasta/
Wolfgang
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout
of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got
to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having
one or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Katie
I make this on a regular basis, and I LOVE IT every time! I appreciate that I normally have these ingredients on hand and that it comes together so quickly. It's so flavorful! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Diane
This was soooo yummy! I was craving a sundried tomato sauce and this was perfect. I wanted something easy and quick but tasty and that's what I got 🙂 I didn't have sundried tomatoes in oil so I softened them in hot water first. The sauce was a little thick so I thinned it with the tomato water which added even more flavor. The amount of black pepper was a little too much for me so I used 1/4 tsp. I sauteed up some zucchini, cauliflower and kale and I'm so happy right now! Thank you for this recipe. It will be a go-to from now on!
dishingouthealth
Hi Diane, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!