Dairy Free Penne Alla Vodka Vegan Vodka Sauce

Decadent Penne Alla Vodka is a true pleasure, but its high calorie count puts it on our special indulgence list. If you follow a vegan diet or eat dairy-free, it’s on the no-no list, since most vodka sauces are made with heavy cream or half-and-half. Until now…. Thanks to two tricks, this sneaky penne is entirely dairy free, and if you decide to skip the chicken, it’s (gasp!) vegan too!

Making a Dairy Free (Vegan) Penne Alla Vodka Sauce

This easy dairy free vodka sauce uses three secret ingredients to make the sauce vegan, without losing its creaminess.

Almond Milk. Almond milk has long been my go-to ingredient to give sweet and savory recipes (like this Healthy Chicken Pot Pie and Creamy Polenta with Zucchini and Tomatoes) richness without adding excess calories. It is creamy and its mild flavor does not distract from the recipe.

Ground Almonds. Blending up the almonds with almond milk creates a “cream” that, once stirred into the vodka sauce, is a dead-ringer for the Italian classic. Plus, almonds are a wonderful source of fiber and protein!

Parmesan or Nutritional Yeast. While optional, I love adding cheesy flavor to my penne vodka. If you don’t need the dish to be dairy free, you can add a bit of Parmesan. We opted for nutritional yeast, which is loaded with nutrients and has a similar “cheesy” taste to Parmesan. (See all my recipes using nutritional yeast here.)

The Directions

Dairy Free Penne Vodka Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate leftover pasta for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.To Reheat. Rewarm on the stove or in the microwave, with a splash of almond milk, oatmilk, or water to keep the pasta from drying out.