A lighter version of the Italian favorite. My recipe for Penne alla Vodka has all of the luscious, creamy texture of the original but is completely guilt free!
I’ll be honest, this was a hard one to lighten up. It has been so highly requested on Instagram, so I tried about 3 or 4 variations until I arrived at this magical combination.
Traditional Penne alla Vodka has tomatoes, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese as the base. For lighter cream sauces, I usually rely on a combination of: half and and half to add some richness, almond milk to bulk it up while keeping the points/calories down, and cornstarch to maintain the thickness of a heavy cream.
Well, that went all wrong. The acidity from the tomatoes curdled the milk/cornstarch mixture. So much so that it all separated and became watery and goopy. The worst combination.
I was ready to give up, but then I remembered the trick to my Skinny Alfredo Sauce that makes it creamy, cheesy, and completely emulsified–cream cheese!
Reduced-fat cream cheese adds the creaminess and tang you want in a vodka sauce without worrying about curdling. Add in that grated parmesan, and you have yourself a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce. It rivals any Italian joint’s artery-clogging version!
ingredient alterations
- I don’t know about you, but I like a REALLY creamy vodka sauce. If you prefer the tomatoes to be more prominent, then add less cream cheese.
- The vodka really does add a delightful mouth feel and a little extra something flavor wise, but if you don’t want to use it, veggie or chicken stock should be fine.
- The quality of tomatoes do make a difference. Plum tomatoes are always better, and San Marzano are the best.
- You could omit the sugar, but it cuts through the sometimes tinny flavor of canned tomatoes.
Once your sauce is ready, add in your pasta and simmer it in with the sauce for a few minutes. Add in your reserved pasta water or stock until you get the texture you want.
After the pasta and sauce meld together, you’re ready to serve! If you want the ultimate light Italian dinner, serve this pasta dish along with a side salad, perhaps topped with my Light Caesar Dressing. A match made in heaven!
If you want to bulk up the meal even more, top the pasta with some grilled shrimp or chicken breast. Are you drooling yet?
Many people think that food that looks this good, especially lightened-up versions, take hours and a lot of labor to make. That simply isn’t true.
This pasta dish takes 30 minutes at the most. If you saute or grill up your meat while the pasta is cooking and have that Caesar already waiting in the fridge (it takes like 5 minutes to make, btw), you’ll have a hugely impressive meal waiting for you!
I’d love to hear from you if you make this recipe! It makes my day when you share your pics on Instagram and tag me (@litecravings). Don’t forget to use #litecravingsrecipes to make sure I see it. If I don’t get a chance to scroll through my tags quickly enough, I won’t see your post. I always make a point to look through the hashtags, though, so I’ll see it there.
Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried whole wheat penne
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 28 ounce can crushed plum tomatoes
- 1/3 cup vodka (you can use stock and reduce points by 1 per serving)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
Instructions
- Boil your penne in a large pot of salted water. Undercook by 1 minute, according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of salted pasta water before draining. Set aside.
- In a very large skillet or dutch oven, saute minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat ad add in tomatoes, vodka, onion powder, sugar, dried basil, salt, and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer about 8-10 minutes. This will be enough time for the alcohol to burn off.
- Cut your cream cheese into small squares. Whisk a couple of squares at a time into your sauce until melted. Repeat until all cream cheese is incorporated.
- Turn burner to low. Whisk parmesan cheese into sauce, then add in cooked penne. Increase heat to medium-low and cook until pasta and sauce are melded together. Splash in reserved pasta water as you go until you reach the consistency you like.
Can’t wait to try this! I was wondering for the cheese if it is better to use shredded or finely grated? I know in your alfredo sauce you specify to use the finely grated stuff but in the picture on this recipe it looks like you used shredded. Thanks!
Finely grated works best for me. The shredded can get a little too clumpy. Still tasty, but will take a little more time to melt into the sauce. Hope you like the recipe!
Delicious and super easy to make!!! Thank you for the recipe!
You’re so welcome! 🙂
Literally the BEST pasta dish out there!
What a compliment! Thank you. 🙂
Have you tried freezing this?
I haven’t. I’m pretty sure it would be okay to freeze since there isn’t any butter or cream. Let me know if it works out!
Delicious!! We loved this recipe!
Thank you, Cindy!
My husband is from an area of central NY state where they serve something called “chicken riggies” which is essentially a spicy vodka sauce with hot cherry peppers, chicken, and rigatoni. I’m excited to try this sauce recipe for a lighter version!
So happy I found your recipes! This penne recipe was great! Only thing I would change is omitting the red pepper flakes. I used 1/4 tsp and it was still quite spicy. The kids ate it, but they all commented on how “hot” their mouths were. I thought it was a bit spicy too.
Overall, definitely recommend! 🙂
Absolutely delicious! From one English prof to another, thank you! I just discovered your website, and I am now a certified fan–your recipes are delicious, and your writing is too! My husband (who can eat whatever he wants without gaining an ounce, damn him!) has proclaimed that this was the best pasta he has ever eaten!
Thank goodness for this recipe. My fav food is penne vodka (which obviously is a million points on ww). This recipe still has the delicious penne vodka taste, with minimal points. A dream come true. I’ve made this multiple times and will continue to make it. Always a hit!
Love hearing this! It’s definitely one of my favorites, too. Thanks for the lovely review, Carrie. 🙂
This is one of my favorite recipes of yours! It is the perfect recipe to make for a group dinner! thank you!!
Delicious. Didn’t have vodka so used veggie broth. Whole family loved it.
Awesome, Christine!
Super yummy! Served it with some grilled chicken breast and it was delish!
Yay! Thank you for reviewing. 🙂
Had this for dinner tonight for the 1st time.
No words other than…. WOW 🤩
This has become our favorite pasta dish! So quick and easy! Thank you, Geri!
Apologies for the late reply, Sue. I’m so happy you love the recipe!
Best recipe for penne ala vodka. My family loved it. Will be on our rotation.
Thank you, Donna!
Thought I already reviewed but I don’t see it. 🤷🏼♀️ Anyway this has become my family’s favorite pasta dish. Thank you for this recipe.
Sorry, Sue. I saw your review, but I’m soooo behind on replying to comments. Apologies for that! I really appreciate you taking the time to review my recipes. 🙂