Low Carb Penne a la Vodka
Indulge in the rich, creamy decadence of "Low Carb Penne a la Vodka"—a guilt-free twist on the classic Italian favorite. This recipe swaps traditional pasta for tender zucchini noodles, making it both keto-friendly and packed with flavor. A luscious vodka-infused tomato cream sauce, enhanced with garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and parmesan cheese, perfectly coats the zucchini noodles for a satisfying bite. Fresh basil adds a pop of color and aromatic finish, while the dish comes together in just 35 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal. Perfect for low-carb enthusiasts, this recipe delivers bold flavors without compromising your goals!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cup tomato paste
- 0.25 cup vodka
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Using a spiralizer, create zucchini noodles from the medium zucchinis and set them aside. Alternatively, you can use a julienne peeler.
Minced the garlic cloves finely.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and sauté the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens in color.
Pour in the vodka and stir to combine, allowing it to simmer and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce is uniform in color and creamy.
Add the salt and pepper, adjust to taste, and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a separate pan, lightly sauté the zucchini noodles in a teaspoon of olive oil for about 2-3 minutes until just tender but still firm to the bite.
Add the sautéed zucchini noodles to the vodka sauce and toss gently to coat completely.
Grate the parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the noodles, stirring gently until fully melted and combined.
Serve immediately garnished with freshly torn basil leaves for a vibrant finish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1318 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 84.7 g | 109% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.9 g | 190% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 164 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 8394 mg | 365% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.1 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 10.8 g | 39% | |
| Total Sugars | 57.0 g | ||
| Protein | 28.4 g | 57% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 606 mg | 47% | |
| Iron | 6.5 mg | 36% | |
| Potassium | 2675 mg | 57% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
