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Healthy Penne alla Vodka

While not quite as creamy and rich as the traditional vodka sauce, this healthy Penne alla Vodka gives you the same great flavor in a dish you can feel great about!Yield: 4 cups of vodka sauce

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 420 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 c cauliflower, cut into small chunks
  • 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta, dry
  • ½ tsp olive oil
  • 2 oz pancetta or bacon, minced (about 2 Tbsp)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ c vodka
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ c milk
  • 1 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dry)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dry)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the cauliflower in a small saucepan with ¼ cup of water. Heat the cauliflower over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes, until very soft. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add pasta and 1 tsp of salt. Simmer, uncovered, for 7-9 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat the oil in a deep sauté pan. Add pancetta or bacon and sauté 2 minutes. Add garlic. Sauté 1 min.
  4. Add vodka and stir well, letting it simmer for 1 minute.
  5. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Simmer over medium low heat, uncovered, 5-7 min to thicken the sauce.
  6. While the sauce is simmering, place the cooked cauliflower into the bowl of your food processor. Add 1/2 c milk, slowly, and process until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining.
  7. Add the cauliflower mixture to the simmering tomato sauce. Let the sauce return to simmer and remove from the heat.
  8. Add drained pasta to the sauce and mix well to coat.
  9. Top with parsley and basil.

Notes

  • This recipe from 2013 was updated in May 2017. We made the Healthy Penne alla Vodka even closer to the real version! Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories 420kcal (21%) Carbohydrates 73.5g (25%) Protein 17.2g (34%) Fat 2.1g (3%) Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 536mg (22%) Fiber 14.1g (56%) Sugar 8.4g (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 420

% Daily Value*

Calories 420kcal 21%
Carbohydrates 73.5g 25%
Protein 17.2g 34%
Fat 2.1g 3%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 536mg 22%
Fiber 14.1g 56%
Sugar 8.4g 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.