Pasta with Vegan Vodka Sauce

4.80 from 5 votes
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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.Kale Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Sauce (vegan) | dishingouthealth.com

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.Kale Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Sauce (vegan) | dishingouthealth.comKale Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Sauce (vegan) | dishingouthealth.com

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. Kale Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Sauce (vegan) | dishingouthealth.com

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.Kale Pasta with Sun-dried Tomato Cashew Sauce (vegan) | dishingouthealth.com

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

4.80 from 5 votes

Pasta with Vegan Vodka Sauce

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.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients  

  • 1/3 cup raw cashews
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1/2 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
  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. whole-wheat penne or pasta of choice
  • 3 cups roughly chopped lacinato kale
  • Fresh basil for garnish
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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 1/2 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

Serving: 1g | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 310mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g

I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and review below!

 

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4.80 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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6 Comments

  1. Jetlag says:

    5 stars
    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! 🤣

  2. Wolfgang says:

    4 stars
    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?

  3. Katie says:

    5 stars
    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!

  4. Diane says:

    5 stars
    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!

    1. dishingouthealth says:

      Hi Diane, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!