Healthy Pumpkin Vodka Sauce with Pasta
This Healthy Pumpkin Vodka Sauce for pasta is great when you are just not ready to let go of pumpkin season. However, it is also a great go-to recipe any time of the year.
Post Date: November 26, 2023
Posted by: Donna SpencerThis post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
There is nothing more comforting than a bowl of something pumpkin on a fall day. This is a great make-ahead sauce. All that is left to do is cook some pasta, pour the sauce over the hot pasta to reheat, and toss in some hot pasta water to thin it out. No guilt here as it this oil-free and dairy-free and made the WFPB way.
Grocery List
Produce
Pumpkin Puree
Shallot
Garlic
Pantry
Pasta
Maple Syrup
Non-dairy milk
Apple cider vinegar
Ground Pepper
Dried sage
Nutmeg
Red pepper flakes
Vodka
Misc
Salt
Add-Ins and Substitutions
You can substitute agave for maple syrup or honey.
Storing
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition 411
Pumpkins are loaded with many nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Pumpkin gives you a big dose of beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A to help your body fight infections. The antioxidants found in pumpkin are important for skin health too. These include beta carotene and vitamins C and E. Also, pumpkin contains potassium which may help reduce high blood pressure levels (Trusted Source). In addition, its fiber may help lower blood cholesterol levels by binding with the cholesterol in the foods you eat and preventing its absorption. (Trusted source.)
Pasta with a Healthy Creamy Pumpkin Vodka Sauce
Equipment
- Medium Sauté Pan
- Stock Pot
Ingredients
- 1-2 cloves garlic grated or finely minced or more to taste!
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree about 1.5-2 cups
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup vodka
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or other neutral-ish vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric optional
- dash red pepper flakes for spice optional
- 1 cup creamy non-dairy milk such as almond or cashew
- 1 lb. pasta of choice
- ½ cup pasta water as needed
- garnish: fresh herbs and vegan parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Mince, grate, or crush garlic. Set aside for 10 minutes to activate allicin, if desired. (See notes.)
- Mince the shallot.
- Over medium heat dry saute the shallot for about 30 seconds to 1 minute then add the garlic. Stir for 30 seconds more. Lower heat slightly and pour in the vodka. Let it sizzle.
- Next, add the tomato paste and working quickly, really mix it around. We’re cooking this until it reaches a red brick color.
- Next add vinegar, pumpkin puree, herbs, and seasonings. Stir to combine abpout 2-3 minutes.
- Slowly stir in the plant-based milk, then cook over low heat for about 5 minutes. Taste to adjust seasoning as desired.
- Meanwhile, cook 1/2 lb of pasta in water with salt. Reserve at least 1/2 cup of pasta water for thinning out the sauce.
- To serve with pasta, add cooked pasta to sauce and stir well. Top Add pasta water 2 tablsppopns at a time to thin out sauce as needed. Garnish
- Garnish with fresh herbs (parsley!) and Parmesan cheese and serve. Or – use this delicious sauce for pizza or lasagna!
Notes
- If you are really in a bind, you can replace the fresh garlic with 1/2 teaspoon powdered garlic.
- Dairy Alternatives: Be aware that if you use oat milk, it is sweeter than other plant-based milk options and will influence the flavor. I prefer to use plant-based milks that are unsweetened.
- Also, check the ingredient list to ensure you are selecting one with no oil or unnecessary additives.
- For activation of anti-microbial allicin in garlic, it is recommended that you wait 10 minutes after mincing garlic before adding it to the heat. Crushing or cutting garlic starts the activation, but once added to the heat, no additional allicin will be activated!
Nutrition
More Pumpkin PF Recipes
Healthy Butternut Squash Pumpkin Soup (WFPB, No Oil, No Dairy)
2 Ingredient Spice Pumpkin Brownies
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
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