This Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka is a lighter take on a traditional recipe! It's made totally plant-based with cashew cream and perfect for summer nights.
Recipe FAQs
Pasta alla vodka is an Italian-American dish typically made using penne noodles with a sauce made from heavy cream, crushed tomatoes, onions, and sometimes meats like pancetta. The exact origins of this dish are not known, however it gained popularity in America in the 1980s.
Cherry tomatoes add a bright flavor to vodka sauce; they take the place of crushed tomatoes in this recipe, for a lighter, summer-appropriate take. To prepare this dish, instead of using a can of tomatoes, you will sauté the cherry tomatoes until they are slightly browned and then press on them with the back of a spoon to burst them and release their juices. Letting this water cook off helps to further concentrate the tomato flavor.
Vodka acts as an emulsifying agent between the acidic tomatoes and cream in this sauce. As vodka is ethanol, it helps the present fats (lipids) and water to coexist. The sharp flavor of vodka also helps to tame the sweet notes of tomatoes and cream.
After 5-7 minutes of simmering at medium-low, the alcohol should be completely cooked out of this sauce. It is typically considered safe for children if cooked thoroughly.
Add vodka after tomato paste, as the final ingredient in the sauce. After cooking for a few minutes (to reduce any "boozy" flavor), the sauce will be ready to serve.
Tips for Making Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka
- Any kind of cherry tomato can be used in this recipe, so there is no need to look for a certain varietal or color.
- Use whatever pasta shape you prefer in this dish; I chose spaghetti but penne is the classic choice.
- As always, be sure to heavily salt your pasta water as this will season the pasta from the inside out while cooking.
- Cooking and smashing the tomatoes in the skillet for a few minutes prior to blending will help evaporate some of their water. This in turn will concentrate their flavors.
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I hope you enjoy this Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka recipe! Looking for other creamy vegan pasta dishes?
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Cherry Tomato Pasta Alla Vodka
Ingredients
- ½ cup roasted cashews + 1 cup hot water set aside
- 1 lb dried spaghetti or pasta of choice penne is traditional
- Salt and pepper used throughout
- 4 TBS extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion peeled and diced
- 4 cloves of garlic peeled and smashed (see notes for details)
- 1 TBS dried oregano
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes depending on how hot you like things
- 3 cups of cherry tomatoes any size
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- ½ cup vodka
- 2 TBS vegan butter optional
- Fresh basil cashew parmesan, and/or breadcrumbs to serve
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your "cream", adding cashews to a high-powered blender along with 1 cup water. Blend on high until a creamy liquid results, with no nut chunks. Set aside. No need to wash the blender, we'll be using it in a bit.
- Boil a medium pot of water and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve one cup of the cooking water. To a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium low. Add onion, garlic cloves, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir and sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook until they brown slightly, about 7 minutes. Use the back of a spoon to press down to burst each tomato once soft enough. Add tomato paste, mashing around the pan with the back of your spoon again to slightly "cook" it for a few minutes. Remove from heat. Leave the pan out as we'll be using it again.
- Add tomato mixture to the blender. Pour in cashew cream and blend until very smooth. If your mixture is very thick, feel free to add up to 1 cup of reserved pasta water to thin things to a saucy texture.
- Pour tomato and cream mixture back into the sauce pan. Heat over medium low and add vodka. Stir to combine and cook for a few minutes - the alcohol will cook off but the vodka flavor will help contrast the cream. Add in a few pats of vegan butter for some extra richness.
- Pour sauce over pasta and serve immediately, garnishing with basil, cashew parmesan, and/or toasted breadcrumbs. Store in a covered container the fridge for up to 5 days.
Cindy says
This has so much flavour! Delicious!
Emily says
Hi Cindy, thank you for trying this pasta! -Emily