This 6 ingredient vegan vodka sauce is just as creamy and delicious as the classic penne a la vodka, but made without dairy and even without vodka if you want an alcohol free vodka sauce! Quick and easy for the perfect weeknight vegan pasta recipe.

vegan vodka pasta on a plate

If you’re looking for a quick and easy pasta dinner to make during the week that still tastes amazing and is totally kid approved, then look no further. This vegan vodka sauce is perfect for all eaters, whether or not you’re dairy free, and suitable for kids as well (we’re not using any alcohol- though you could if you’d like!).

This sauce is so creamy, flavorful, and perfectly tangy. We’re using 6 simple and minimal ingredients that are nut-free (no cashews!), dairy free, and alcohol free so that kids can enjoy this sauce too. 

This is one of our favorite vegan dinner recipes to make for date night as well- the creamy vodka sauce is so flavorful and easy to dress up for a special dinner!

Serve with a few dollops of homemade vegan mascarpone and side of vegan dinner rolls (or garlic and herb rolls!) for the perfect classic dinner recipe! And if you’re gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and make these gluten-free dinner rolls 😉

close up of vegan vodka pasta

What is vodka sauce?

If you’ve never had vodka sauce, then you’re in for a treat. This no-vodka vegan vodka sauce tastes just like the classic. 

Vodka sauce is made traditionally with tomato sauce spiked with vodka, with some heavy cream and parmesan cheese for creamy flavor. 

Therefore, vodka sauce is not naturally vegan, as it contains dairy. But this version truly does taste just like the classic so you won’t be missing out!

Can I make vodka sauce without vodka?

You absolutely can make vodka pasta sauce without vodka. I personally made this version without vodka, and it really does taste so similar to real vodka sauce. 

Of course, you can easily use a vegan vodka, but for those who don’t want any alcohol in their pasta sauce (because while the alcohol can cook off, there will still be some alcohol in the vodka sauce), here’s my trick:

Mix water and apple cider vinegar together!

That’s really it! It’s my trick for when I don’t have wine on hand either for cooking, and is really great in a pinch. 

vegan penna alla vodka on a plate with peas

Vegan Vodka Sauce Ingredients

  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Marinara Sauce: Instead of making your own sauce with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, etc. you can just use your favorite tomato sauce! I love Organico Bello.
  • Dairy free milk: I like using soy milk or oat milk, but you can also use cashew cream, almond milk, or coconut milk or coconut cream. Another option is using a vegan heavy cream, like Country Crock of So Delicious.
  • Faux vodka: This is my water and apple cider vinegar combination. You can absolutely add in vodka if you’d prefer. But for those who’d like a non-alcoholic vodka sauce, this is it!
  • Vegan parmsan: I love Violife’s vegan parmesan for nut-free, but Forager Project vegan parmesan is also wonderful! Alternatively, you can use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
  • Your favorite pasta: You can use penne pasta for vegan penne all vodka, rigatoni, or even homemade pasta (you can also use gluten free pasta as needed!).

Overview: How To Make Vegan Vodka Sauce

To start, cook the onion and garlic together on medium heat until cooked and translucent. Then remove from heat and allow the onions and garlic to cool for 5-10 minutes in a separate bowl.

Add in the marinara sauce, vegan dairy free milk, and faux vodka to a blender, along with the onion and garlic. Blend until smooth. Then pour the sauce back into the sauce pan. Stir and cook until flavorful. 

blended vegan vodka sauce

Stir in the vegan parmesan cheese and optional red pepper flakes, and cook until the cheese is melted.

vegan vodka sauce cooking

While the vodka sauce is cooking, cook the pasta according to the instructions on your pasta box. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, along with a bit of reserved pasta water, and toss together.

close up of vegan vodka sauce in a pan

Stir with cooked peas, top with fresh basil, a few dollops of homemade vegan mascarpone, serve, and enjoy!

Storing & Reheating Instructions

If you’d just like to make the sauce and use the sauce throughout the week, you can easily do so! Simply cook the sauce according to instructions. Then pour the sauce into an airtight container and allow it to cool before placing it into the fridge to be kept for up to 5 days. 

Then use the vegan vodka sauce to make vegan vodka pasta whenever you’d like throughout the week!

Alternatively, if you’ve made your vegan vodka pasta already, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply add the desired amount to a saucepan with a little oil, and heat on medium-low heat until warm. Then serve!

close up of vegan vodka pasta

Want to save this recipe for later? Add it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest!

vegan vodka sauce pinterest pin

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and a rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below. This helps others to find the recipes! As always, I absolutely love to see your beautiful creations on Instagram and Pinterest, so be sure to tag me there as well!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
vegan penna alla vodka on a plate with peas

6 Ingredient No-Vodka Vegan Vodka Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Britt Berlin
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This 6 ingredient vegan vodka sauce is just as creamy and delicious as the classic penne a la vodka, but made without dairy and even without vodka if you want an alcohol free vodka sauce! Quick and easy for the perfect weeknight vegan pasta recipe.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 25-ounce jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup (250 mL) dairy free milk*
  • 1/3 cup (80 mL) water + 1 tbsp ACV (see notes for vodka option)
  • 1/2 cup vegan parmesan cheese*
  • Optional: 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 16 ounces vegan pasta

Instructions

  1. To start, cook the onion and garlic together on medium heat until cooked and translucent. Then remove from heat and allow the onions and garlic to cool for 5-10 minutes in a separate bowl.
  2. Add the marinara sauce, dairy free milk, faux vodka, and onion garlic mixture to the blender, and blend until smooth.
  3. Pour the sauce back into the saucepan, and bring to medium-low heat. Stir in the vegan parmesan cheese and optional red pepper flakes, and stir until melted.
  4. Reduce the sauce to low while you make the pasta in a separate saucepan. Cook the pasta according to instructions. Save about 1/4 cup of the pasta water, then add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the sauce. Stir to combine.
  5. Serve immediately and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

Dairy free milk: You can use soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk or coconut cream, vegan heavy cream, or cashew cream.

Nut-free: Use Violife for nut-free cheese.

Vodka: You can absolutely use vodka in place of the faux vodka mixture.