This recipe for lightened up/light vodka sauce is a healthier way to enjoy Italian comfort food. This easy homemade vodka sauce substitutes in fat-free half-and-half for a lower fat but creamy sauce without any worries of it separating.
If there's ever a sauce that screams Italian-ish comfort food, I think it would be vodka sauce. Penne alla vodka was a staple at so many catered Italian gatherings and restaurants when I was growing up that I can't even begin to quantify how many pounds of it I've eaten in my lifetime.
More than a trivial amount, that's for sure.
It was also something I so closely associated with other people (i.e. restaurants) making that I never thought to make myself at home. Until now! Or, at least until a few years ago when this lightened up/light vodka sauce first hit the blog. It's the same delicious recipe, just with improved photos.
(Psst - while not as lightened up as this recipe, spicy rigatoni vodka makes a date night at home treat!).
I know you're supposed to get agita thinking about using fat-free dairy in sauces, especially ones that feature acidic ingredients such as tomatoes. I know, I know.
I've thrown caution to the wind and experimented with low or no fat dairy in cooking before and have ended up eating a reheated frozen veggie burger for dinner because of the whomp status of my Plan A meal. But this recipe has turned out exactly as I've hoped for each and every time I've made it, so I suppose I'm a bit superstitious.
Each time, I stirred together the heavy cream and fat-free half and half before adding it at once to the sauce. In a silly way it seems like I'm trying to pull a fast one on the sauce, but logically I figured mixing full fat + no fat = some fat, and some fat dairy > no fat dairy as far as sauces go.
Each time I also watch the sauce simmer with a critical eye; ready to pounce on the first sign of grainy separation or curdling, but my fears always go unrealized. Instead, the veggie burgers stayed put in the freezer and we inhale this creamy, slightly spicy, can't-believe-it's-lightened up, can-I-please-eat-it-with-a-ladle vodka sauce.
With a side of pasta, of course. 😉
Recipe Notes
- I would not use all fat-free half-and-half as that likely would not add enough fat to maintain a cohesive and creamy texture to this lightened up vodka sauce.
- The crushed red pepper flakes add a small amount of flavor. They definitely don't make it spicy.
- You definitely don't need to use a premium vodka here, but keep in mind if you're buying a whole bottle, you'll have to use it somehow. Maybe in these pomegranate moscow mules?
- Extra vodka sauce makes a delicious ingredient in this vodka sauce pasta bake with crispy panko and bacon!
Lightened Up Vodka Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ onion, diced
- ½ cup vodka
- 1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 4 oz heavy cream
- 4 oz fat-free half and half
Instructions
- Add olive oil and diced onion to a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and let onion cook for about 5 minutes, or until onion pieces have begun to soften.
- Slowly pour in vodka. Cook for 7-9 minutes, or until onion pieces have browned slightly.
- Add crushed tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes, if using. Stir everything together and cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together heavy cream and fat-free half and half. Once tomato and onion mixture has cooked for 15-20 minutes in the above step, pour in cream mixture, stirring constantly while pouring. Cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat while stirring frequently, then reduce heat to low to cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Pour over pasta to serve or use in place of tomato sauce in your favorite recipes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
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Amanda Levy says
I was really excited to try this recipe because it didn’t seem to overcomplicated. I was disappointed though because it was really sour and the only way I could get it to not be so sour was adding cheese and other things to hide it which defeats the purpose.
Alyssa says
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this sauce! I have never experienced this recipe ending up sour and couldn't imagine why that would be. At the risk of sounding silly, are you sure the dairy products weren't off? Besides the half-and-half subbing in for a portion of the cream, these are all fairly common ingredients in vodka sauce.
Elyse Thompson says
Can I omit the heavy cream and just use FF H&H?
Alyssa says
Hi Elyse, it will be a little less rich in flavor but should be fine.
Sur says
What is ff and hh?
Alyssa says
That's fat-free half and half.
Marianne says
This recipe is delicious, easy to make and low in calories!
Alyssa says
Happy you like it, Marianne!
Dawn says
I don't have heavy cream but I do have light cream on hand. Hope that will work I'm making tonight 🙂 Thanks!
Alyssa says
Hi Dawn, that should work fine. I hope you enjoy!
Tami says
I do not even know how I stopped up right here, however I believed this publish used to be
good. I do not understand who you are but definitely you're going to a well-known blogger if you happen to are not already.
Cheers!
Alyssa says
Thank you, Tami!
Cindy says
Hello,
Can you use fresh tomatoes instead of canned crush tomatoes? If yes, how many tomatoes? Thank you I’m excited to try this recipe as I love vodka sauce a lot.
Alyssa says
Hi Cindy, I haven't used fresh tomatoes in this particular recipe before but I think they would work, but they'd need some extra prep. You might want to blanch and peel them so you can remove the skins, and then either roast them or chop them up and allow them ample time to cook down in the saucepan to form a more sauce-like consistency. As for a rough estimate, maybe around 2 lbs of fresh tomatoes? Hopefully that helps some!
Kary says
Can this be frozen?
Alyssa says
Hi Kary, this sauce could be frozen just fine. I'd let it cool to room temperature before pouring it into a large plastic bag, sealing, and then laying flat in the freezer. It should be good for at least a few months. Then when ready to use I'd stick it in the fridge to thaw fully and then heat on the stove. You might notice the texture isn't as smooth as it was before freezing, but stirring while it heats should bring it back.
Liz says
I will be making this again and again! It's one of my picky daughter's favorite pasta recipes and now so much less guilt for me to go back for seconds!
Sues says
I always forget about vodka sauce, but then every time I have it, I remember how much I love it. This is perfection!
marcie says
I've never had a vodka sauce, and this looks just amazing! I might toss it into salad, too. haha This must take pasta to a whole new delicious level!
Alyssa says
Thank you Marcie! Vodka sauce is definitely a treat...whether it's on pasta or salad! 🙂
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
I love using FF h&h in my vodka sauce, it's the perfect fix without losing that yummy velvety texture! this looks so good Alyssa, and I am obsessed with that bowl!
Alyssa says
Yesss, I so agree! FF half & half for the win. And thanks! Pasta is a staple around here for sure.
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I've been looking for a lighter version of vodka sauce! Thanks so much for ending my search. 🙂 This looks deeeeelicious!
Alyssa says
Thanks Tina! Vodka sauce is definitely an indulgence, but I'm very glad to have concocted a healthier version that's still just as satisfying!