• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Gluten Free Italian Eats
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Gluten-free Sauces

    Vodka Cream Sauce (Gluten Free)

    Apr 13, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Vodka cream sauce is easy to make at home using simple ingredients. This creamy vodka sauce is naturally gluten-free and is so flavorful it will rival any vodka sauce you can get at a restaurant. Make it for a quick dinner during the week or to celebrate a special occasion on the weekend.

    overhead picture of vodka cream sauce with gluten free pasta.

    One of the first gluten-free Italian recipes I ordered at a restaurant was vodka sauce. I was so excited when the waitress said this recipe was gluten-free and they also have gluten-free penne to go with it. I couldn’t wait to dig into a huge bowl of Penne Alla Vodka! 

    Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. Instead, I got a flavorless tomato cream sauce mix with mushy pasta. I can’t even describe the disappointment I felt after that first bite, and I had to throw it out; it was that bad.

    The following weekend I made my version of vodka cream sauce and found the perfect gluten-free pasta to go with it. Other gluten-free sauces that restaurant favorites have inspired are arrabiata sauce, gluten-free alfredo sauce, gluten-free marinara sauce, Tagliatelle Carbonara and ragu alla bolognese.

    Jump to:
    • Reasons you’ll love this recipe.
    • Ingredients
    • Supplies
    • How to Make Vodka Cream Sauce
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Cooking Tips
    • Healthy Substitutions
    • Storage tips
    • FAQs
    • Other Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes
    • Vodka Cream Sauce
    • Did you make this recipe?

    Reasons you’ll love this recipe.

    • Let’s start with easy! Vodka sauce can seem a little intimidating, but it’s one of the simplest Italian sauces to make, and it comes together in about 30-minutes.
    • Delicious. Don’t worry; you don’t taste the vodka in vodka sauce. Instead, it adds a depth of flavor to the tomatoes and melds the rest of the ingredients together.
    • Naturally gluten-free. You don’t need to make any changes to keep the vodka sauce gluten-free – all that’s required is finding the perfect gluten-free pasta. I’ll share my favorite pasta pick below.
    • Make-ahead. Like most Italian pasta sauces, this creamy pink vodka sauce gets better the next day so make it ahead to have ready for a quick dinner.

    Ingredients

    ingredients to make vodka sauce.
    • Whole tomatoes in juice. For the best vodka sauce, I highly recommend using San Marzano tomatoes. These are a little pricier than other canned tomatoes but are worth it. They have a thicker, meatier texture, a rich tomato flavor, and are less acidic.
    • Extra virgin olive oil and garlic. Is there a better aroma than garlic simmering in olive oil? I don’t think so.
    • Crush red pepper flakes for a spicy vodka sauce recipe.
    • Vodka. To ensure this vodka sauce stays gluten-free, check the label for any gluten-containing ingredients. My favorite gluten-free vodka is Titos.
    • Heavy cream. I recommend using heavy cream; this provides terrific texture and flavor that you can’t get from half and half or milk.
    • Salted Butter. Adding a couple of tablespoons of butter to finish this sauce brings it over the top.
    • Parmesan cheese. To get the best flavor and ensure it’s gluten-free, I recommend grating the parmesan fresh.
    • Pasta water helps add flavor to the sauce, thickens it up, and allows the sauce and pasta to stick together.
    • Gluten-free pasta. My favorite gluten-free pasta with this vodka Alla penne recipe is Bionaturae gluten-free penne rigate. It has excellent flavor and holds up in the sauce.

    Supplies

    • 5 ½ quart saucepan or dutch oven
    • Pasta strainer
    • Sharp knife

    How to Make Vodka Cream Sauce

    • Pour the tomatoes into a bowl and crush them with your hands or a large spoon. I find it easier to do it this way than after the tomatoes go into the hot pan. Set the tomatoes aside and cook the pasta.
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 -10 minutes. The pasta should be tender with a bite to it. Keep an eye on the pasta because you don’t want it to overcook. As the pasta cooks, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
    • Start making the sauce. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan or you can use the same pot used to cook pasta. Add the garlic into the pan and cook until fragrant and lightly golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. You don’t want the garlic to burn, so it’s close to done as soon as it becomes fragrant.
    • Pour the tomatoes, pasta water, and crushed red pepper flakes into the pot. It’s helpful to keep the tomatoes close to the pot as you pour them in, so the oil doesn’t splash.
    • Bring the tomatoes to a boil, and then reduce to a low boil for 2-3 minutes. Use a spoon to break up the tomatoes as they cook.
    • Reduce the heat to a low simmer and then stir in the vodka. Continue to simmer for about 15 minutes.
    • Stir in the cream, butter, and parmesan cheese and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the sauce is hot. Taste for salt and pepper.  Remove from heat.
    • If you’re eating right away then you can toss the pasta directly to the sauce, toss, and then serve. Or add the penne to individual bowls and ladle with vodka sauce, toss the pasta with sauce and serve.
    overhead picture of vodka cream sauce.

    Serving Suggestions

    This creamy vodka sauce is delicious paired with a gluten free Caesar salad or Chopped Italian salad. Of course, don’t forget the gluten-free garlic bread or any gluten free crusty bread!

    Cooking Tips

    • If you don’t want small pieces of garlic in the sauce, then smash the garlic cloves with the back of your knife and cook those pieces instead. After the sauce cooks, fish out the garlic pieces with a slotted spoon and discard. This technique gives a garlic flavor without pieces of garlic throughout the sauce.
    • Short pasta is often used in vodka cream recipes, but any gluten-free noodles will work, so use your favorite.
    • Add fresh basil leaves or parsley at the end for a fresh flavor.
    • You can also add chicken, shrimp, or sausage if you want protein. Or add vegetables like mushroom, zucchini, or broccoli.

    Healthy Substitutions

    If you want a restaurant-quality vodka penne, then stick with this recipe. However, if you still want a healthy vodka sauce that’s still tasty, here are some recommendations. 

    • Swap in half and half or milk for the cream. It won’t be as creamy, but it will still have a nice flavor.
    • Leave out the butter. Butter adds a silky texture and delicious flavor, but it also increases the saturated fat, so if you want a lower fat option, leave out the butter.
    • Coconut milk creates a vodka sauce without cream or dairy but still provides a creamy texture. 
    overhead picture of vodka penne

    Storage tips

    For the week

    You can store vodka sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to five days. Reheat on the stovetop. If the sauce seems thick, stir in a little bit of water or broth to loosen it up.

    In the freezer

    You can freeze vodka sauce between 3 to 6 months. Cool the sauce entirely and place it into airtight containers before freezing.

    FAQs

    What’s vodka sauce made of?

    You’ll find many variations of vodka sauce recipes, but this restaurant-style version includes tomatoes, vodka, cream, butter, and cheese. Can you replace vodka in vodka sauce?

    You’ll find many variations of vodka sauce recipes, but this restaurant-style version includes tomatoes, vodka, cream, butter, and cheese. 

    Can you replace vodka in vodka sauce?

    I don’t think it’s vodka sauce without vodka, but if you don’t want to use alcohol, you can swap in equal parts water with a squirt of lemon juice. 

    You can also swap in dry white wine for the vodka. 

    These swaps won’t produce the same flavor as vodka but will still be tasty.

    Other Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes

    • Chicken Cacciatore
    • Gluten-Free Baked Ziti
    • Gluten free Lasagna
    • Sunday Sauce
    • Italian Sausage Stuffed Peppers

    See all of my gluten-free dinner recipes.

    vodka cream sauce with gluten free pasta

    Vodka Cream Sauce

    Tammy OverhoffTammy Overhoff
    Vodka cream sauce is easy to make at home using simple ingredients. This creamy vodka sauce is naturally gluten-free and is so flavorful it will rival any vodka sauce you can get at a restaurant. Make it for a quick dinner during the week or to celebrate a special occasion on the weekend.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    35 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course dinner recipe, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 260 kcal

    Equipment

    • 5 1/2 quart Dutch Oven or Large Pot
    • Large Sauce Pan
    • Pasta strainer

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 12-ounce package of gluten free penne pasta
    • 1 28-ounce can of whole peeled Tomatoes in juices use San Marzano tomatoes, if possible.
    • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced about 2 tablespoons
    • 1/2 cup pasta water
    • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1/4 cup vodka make sure it's gluten free
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 2 tablespoons salted butter
    • 3/4 cup fresh Grated Parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Pour the tomatoes into a bowl and crush them with your hands or a large spoon. Set the tomatoes aside and cook the pasta.
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 -10 minutes. The pasta should be tender with a bite to it. As the pasta cooks, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and set it aside. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
    • Start making the sauce. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large sauce pan to you can use the same pot used to cook pasta. Add the garlic into the pan and cook until fragrant and lightly golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. You don't want the garlic to burn, so it's close to done as soon as it becomes fragrant.
    • Pour the tomatoes, pasta water, and crushed red pepper flakes into the pot. It's helpful to keep the tomatoes close to the pot as you pour them in, so the oil doesn't splash.
    • Bring the tomatoes to a boil, and then reduce to a low boil for 2-3 minutes. Use a spoon to break up the tomatoes as they cook.
    • Reduce the heat to a low simmer and then stir in the vodka. Continue to simmer for about 15 minutes.
    • Stir in the cream, butter, and parmesan cheese and cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the sauce is hot.
    • Taste for salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
    • If you're eating right away then you can toss the pasta directly to the sauce, toss, and then serve. Or add the penne to individual bowls and ladle with vodka sauce, toss the pasta with sauce and serve.

    Notes

    Storage tips
    For the week
    You can store vodka sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to five days. Reheat on the stovetop. If the sauce seems thick, stir in a little bit of water or broth to loosen it up.
    In the freezer
    You can freeze vodka sauce between 3 to 6 months. Cool the sauce entirely and place it into airtight containers before freezing.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 257mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 541IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 129mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword creammy vodka sauce, vodka cream sauce, vodka penne, vodka sauce
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Have you tried this Vodka Cream Sauce recipe yet? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #glutenfreeitalianeats. I can’t wait to see it.

    « Italian Seasoning Mix Recipe (Gluten Free)
    Ragu alla Bolognese »
    Tammy Overhoff

    About Tammy Overhoff

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    tammy overhoff headshot

    Hi, I'm Tammy! Welcome to Gluten free Italian eats. I’m thrilled to have you here. Gluten free Italian Eats is a trusted resource for gluten-free Italian recipes. I share everything from restaurant-inspired recipes to the homemade Italian classics you remember eating around the Sunday dinner table all made gluten free. You'll also find shopping guides and cooking tips.

    Learn more about me here →

    Popular

    • overhead picture of sausage cacciatore
      Sausage Cacciatore
    • Gluten free Zuppa toscana
      Gluten Free Zuppa Toscana
    • overhead picture of gluten free chicken meatballs on a plate.
      Gluten Free Chicken Meatballs
    • close up picture of turkey meatballs.
      Gluten Free Turkey Meatballs
    tammy overhoff headshot

    Hi, I'm Tammy! Welcome to Gluten free Italian eats. I’m thrilled to have you here. Gluten free Italian Eats is a trusted resource for gluten-free Italian recipes. I share everything from restaurant-inspired recipes to the homemade Italian classics you remember eating around the Sunday dinner table all made gluten free. You'll also find shopping guides and cooking tips.

    Learn more about me here →

    Popular

    • Pizza Soup recipe.
      Pizza Soup
    • gluten free soup recipes
      Sicilian Chicken Soup
    • arrabiata sauce
      Arrabiata Sauce
    • pesto pasta recipe
      Pesto Pasta Salad (Gluten Free)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    Copyright © 2022 Gluten Free Italian Eats