Low Carb Penne a la Vodka
Indulge in the creamy decadence of Low Carb Penne a la Vodka, a guilt-free twist on the classic Italian favorite. This recipe swaps traditional pasta for fresh, spiralized zucchini noodles, making it perfect for low-carb and keto lifestyles. Tossed in a velvety vodka sauce made from tomato paste, rich heavy cream, and a hint of spice from crushed red pepper flakes, this dish delivers all the savory depth you love without the carb overload. A splash of vodka enhances the sauce's complexity, while parmesan cheese melts into each bite for a luxurious finish. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, this dish is ideal for weeknight dinners or romantic occasions. Garnished with fresh basil, it’s a vibrant, restaurant-quality meal that proves low carb can still be utterly indulgent.
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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
Directions
Step 1
Using a spiralizer, create zucchini noodles from the medium zucchinis and set them aside. Alternatively, you can use a julienne peeler.
Step 2
Minced the garlic cloves finely.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it darkens in color.
Step 5
Pour in the vodka and stir to combine, allowing it to simmer and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
Step 6
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce is uniform in color and creamy.
Step 7
Add the salt and pepper, adjust to taste, and let it simmer for another 2 minutes.
Step 8
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.
Step 9
Add the sautéed zucchini noodles to the vodka sauce and toss gently to coat completely.
Step 10
Grate the parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the noodles, stirring gently until fully melted and combined.
Step 11
Serve immediately garnished with freshly torn basil leaves for a vibrant finish.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (995.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1318.5 |
| Total Fat 84.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 37.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g | |
| Cholesterol 164.5mg | 0% |
| Sodium 8394.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 74.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 10.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 57.0g | |
| Protein 28.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 605.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 6.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2675.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories