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Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce Recipe

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Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce is still creamy, rich and restaurant-quality special, but it now has less than half the original recipe’s fat and cholesterol. Even our pros had a hard time telling them apart. Debra Torres - Clarion, Pennsylvania

This recipe is:

Healthy

Diabetic Friendly

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Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce Recipe

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 40 min.

Yield: 8 Servings

15 40 55

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1/4 cup vodka
1 package (12 ounces) whole wheat penne pasta
2 teaspoons prepared pesto
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in tomatoes and vodka. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, cook penne according to package directions.
Stir the pesto, salt and pepper flakes into tomato mixture. In a small bowl, combine flour and cream until smooth; stir into pan. Add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Drain penne; serve with sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts 2/3 cup pasta with 2/3 cups sauce and 1 tablespoon cheese equals 324 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 27 mg cholesterol, 379 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 12 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.

Originally published as Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce in Healthy Cooking June/July 2010, p21

Full-Bodied White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a full-bodied white wine such as Chardonnay or Viognier.

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Reviews for Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce (8)

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Makeover Penne with Vodka Cream Sauce

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Reviewed on Nov. 07, 2011 by agnes24

Hubby really liked it. I thought it was a little bland but I didn't have any pesto so that could be why. I substituted 14.5 oz of spaghetti sauce for one of the cans of tomatoes because I needed to use it up and my family doesn't like tomato chunks anyway. Also, I substituted 2% milk because we never have whole milk. It was still good but next time I'll make sure I add pesto. Oh and one large onion seemed way too much!

Reviewed on Feb. 14, 2011 by benenati

Great recipe. I purchase a store bought oven roasted chicken and cut pieces of the flavorful chicken up and add it to the sauce. I also throw in some frozen peas right before serving. A quick and delicious meal that all my boys (5 of them ) thoroughly enjoy. Don't forget the garlic bread for scooping up the sauce!!!

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2010 by kruzcats

This recipe was wonderful. I used regular penne pasta instead of the wheat, and added a little more pepper flakes. I will definitely make this again and again!! Super Yum!

Reviewed on Sep. 19, 2010 by mjlouk

The whole family liked this one! Even my super picky 4 year old ate it - after some coaxing.

Reviewed on Aug. 10, 2010 by coffman

This is the first time I have had Vodka Cream Sauce and it was excellent and very flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2010 by karenna72

If this is a lightened version I can't even imagine the real thing this recipe was a hit!

Reviewed on Jun. 02, 2010 by avalonblythe

I made this for my parents and my husband for a special dinner. It was impressive and fairly easy. I added chicken... it would've lacked something without it. It was a big hit, although it wasn't my favorite. I think next time I make it I'm going to try shrimp instead.

Reviewed on May. 24, 2010 by conniekitchen

I made this for dinner and it is to die for. I used roasted tomatos that I made and frooze and they added another level of flavor. I also used boe tie wheat pasta as it has more surface for the sauce to adhere to. I will never have to go out to dinner to have this for dinner as I can make it at home in less than one hour. I served it with romain lettuce that I cut the head in half and spraied each with oil and grilded them on the grill then topped them with dressing and fetta chesse. Outstanding dinner.