A lightened-up penne alla vodka recipe made with protein-packed red lentil penne and coconut cream. This version has less calories and fat, more protein and fiber and it’s still loaded with creamy flavor. Gluten-free and vegan. This post is sponsored by Barilla®.
Can you believe Valentine’s Day is right around the corner? Whether you avoid it like the plague, celebrate Galentine’s Day instead or are looking forward to a date night with your sweetheart, I’ve got a recipe for you. Now I’m curious… which camp do you fall into?
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Isaac and I used to go out for alllll of our special occasions – birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, etc. – but as we’ve gotten older, we’ve started loving nights in almost as much as nights out! I love creating special nights in. I get out the cloth napkins (if that isn’t #adulting, I don’t know what is…), the fancy wine glasses and set the table for a fun sit down meal. Bonus ambiance points for flowers and candles. The vibe of our dinner is almost as important as the food itself… almost. 😉
Which brings me to this pasta dish! I feel like Italian food plus a nice glass of wine is the perfect date – either out at a restaurant or at home. So, when Barilla approached me to create a healthy, vegan pasta dish for Valentine’s Day I was all in. Sounds like our ideal date night!
I love creamy vodka sauces, but I wanted to take a stab at a vegan version for you guys! I know a lot of you are plant-based or have dairy sensitivities and might be missing your creamy pasta sauces. The key ingredients in this sauce are: crushed tomatoes, coconut cream and vodka. Yes, you actually use vodka in the recipe! It’s used to heighten the flavor, but all of the alcohol cooks off so it’s family friendly. We actually didn’t have vodka on hand when I created this recipe, so I used vermouth instead and it was still delicious!
As you probably know by now, I used my beloved Barilla legume pasta to up the nutrition factor of this dish. I used the Barilla Red Lentil Penne specifically, which is made with just red lentils… so cool! It is packed with plant-based protein and is an excellent source of fiber. Protein and fiber are usually not words used to describe pasta, so I am obsessed with Barilla’s new line! If you want to check it out, it’s sold on Amazon.
For topping the pasta you can use dairy-free shredded parmesan or my hemp parmesan and chopped fresh basil. Don’t forget the basil. . . it’s so aromatic and brings this dish to the next level.
Be sure to check out the full collection of dinner recipes on EBF!
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i can’t express how much i loved this recipe! my kitchen smelled like a five star italian restaurant and my family loved it. i didn’t have coconut cream, so I used fat free half and half. the sauce was slightly too thin for my taste (because I subbed the cream), so I thickened it up by blending some of the crushed tomatoes. thanks brittany!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Carly! I’m so glad this pasta dish was a hit with your family. Thanks so much for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
Can we just say…. DELISH! Just made this and it was perfect! Just enough and you don’t leave the table feeling super full or bloated. I’m not fully vegan, but do appreciate vegan meals a few times a week. This was truly the perfect recipe for the taste buds and the tummy. Thanks so much for sharing!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Jody!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. <3
How much Vodka is in the recipe? When do you put the coconut cream in?
Hi Jill. Both of these are in the recipe. 1/4 cup of vodka and the coconut cream is added in step 2. 🙂