Easy Gluten Free Meals/ Pasta

Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce {Gluten Free}

Quick and easy Penne with a Spicy Vodka Sauce is the perfect meal for company!
Spicy Vodka Sauce
This post is done as a collaboration with Fresh First Chicken Sausage. All opinions are my own.

The Eating Out Challenge

My husband and I have some great friends who are experts at finding the best restaurants to eat at. Luckily, they also seem to be in the know about which restaurants have a gluten free option. While the food is always amazing; generally, it can be pretty pricey (this is Miami after all). Awhile back we went to an Italian Restaurant that offered a Gluten Free Penne Pasta with a Spicy Vodka Sauce. That was incredible. I was in love with it, and so was my husband, so of course, I had to recreate it. Not trying to be conceited, but mine is even better, just ask my husband!Penne with Vodka Sauce

Restaurant quality Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce, made gluten free! Click To Tweet

 Penne with Vodka Sauce

First Fresh

Fresh First SausageNot to long ago I was contacted by First Fresh and up and coming Gluten Free Chicken Sausage company. The wife of the founder has Celiac Disease, so the company has a vested interest in making products that are not only delicious but safe for Celiacs. Currently, they offer Sausage Breakfast Links, Mild Italian Sausage, and a Hot Sausage. Normally I use a pork based Mild Italian Sausage for this recipe, but the chicken Mild Italian Sausage from First Fresh has 78% less fat than pork sausage so I decided to give it a shot, and I’m glad I did. It is soo good. I had no idea so much flavor could be packed into a sausage without all the fat.

 

I knew that this sausage would be PERFECT for this Spicy Vodka Sauce.

Penne with Vodka Sauce

Spicy Vodka Sauce

This sauce is one of the easiest you will ever make; it has seven ingredients: Mild Italian Sausage, Garlic, Red Pepper Flakes, Crushed Tomatoes, Cream, Vodka, and Parmesan Cheese. If you aren’t a fan of spicy, just leave out the Red Pepper Flakes. I like to serve it with my Cheesy, Garlic Biscuits (my version of a Red Lobster Biscuit- Recipe coming soon!) and a bit of salad. It is fairly inexpensive to make and can feed a crowd.

A Few Notes:

  • There is a whole cup of cream in this. You could use half, but cream comes in one cup containers so you might as well just use it all.
  • Use gluten free vodka. Most are, but always double check your ingredients.
  • If you cannot find gluten free penne pasta, you could use another type, I’ve used rotini and is was fine, you just want pasta that will hold up to the sauce.

I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

Happy Gluten Free Eating!

Penne with Vodka Sauce
Print Recipe
4.22 from 14 votes

Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce {Gluten Free}

Ingredients

  • 1 12 ounce box gluten free penne pasta
  • 8 ounces gluten free Mild Italian Sausage I used Fresh First Chicken Sausage
  • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1/4 cup gluten free vodka
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Boil pasta according to package directions for al dente. Do not over cook.
  • Brown 8 ounces of sausage with garlic and red pepper. Break up sausage into small pieces.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, bring to boil, then lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Add vodka and simmer another 5 minutes.
  • Stir in cream and Parmesan cheese. Allow to simmer for three minutes.
  • Toss cooked pasta in sauce.
  • Serve with shredded Parmesan cheese.

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43 Comments

  • Reply
    Gluten Free Cheddar Bay Biscuits {Copycat Recipe}
    September 11, 2019 at 9:53 am

    […] Bread is one of those things that completes a dinner, but when you are gluten free it can be a bit tricky. Finding a good recipe that isn’t complicated is tricky and I am not one of those people who buys a trillion flours. Fortunately for these cheesy, garlic biscuits you only need a few ingredients and you will be enjoying delicious biscuits that will have you reminiscing of Red Lobster! Now, these aren’t just for eating with seafood, we often have them with pasta, such as Gluten Free Penne Pasta with Spicy Vodka Sauce. […]

  • Reply
    Anne Lawton
    March 23, 2019 at 9:10 am

    I have not made this is a while, and it’s so much better to eat this homemade version. It’s so easy to make too!

  • Reply
    paleoglutenfreeguy
    March 20, 2019 at 12:20 pm

    This just keeps getting better and better. Tomato sauce but with cream? And sausage? And red pepper flakes? And cheese? AND VODKA? Yes to all the things. Definitely going on my list for when I’m craving pasta.

  • Reply
    Raia Todd
    March 20, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Oh, I love vodka sauce! I don’t think I’ve ever tried to make it from scratch before…

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    March 20, 2019 at 9:54 am

    Vodka sauce is for sure one of my favorite pasta sauces! I love love sauce of all kinds, and the creamier the better.

  • Reply
    Kelly
    March 19, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    I love this sauce. I can see this on a lot of tasty dishes!

  • Reply
    Jean
    March 18, 2019 at 9:54 pm

    The combination of spicy and creamy is always a winner in my book. Love that this is gluten free!

  • Reply
    Joni Gomes
    March 18, 2019 at 11:55 am

    Sadly I was not able to find First Fresh at my grocery store but I bought something from the butcher section and this recipe turned out amazing!! Who doesn’t love a creamy pasta, am I right?

  • Reply
    Platter Talk
    February 2, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    I used to make this at least once a week when I lived on long island, for parties at a club. Your recipe sure does bring back memories. Beautiful shots.

  • Reply
    Erica D.
    July 25, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    This looks so great. Am I the only who didn’t know there was actual vodka in the recipe? I guess I never realized where the “vodka’ in the name came from haha!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      July 26, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Yeah…I use quite a bit, but you could leave it out..just wouldn’t be quite as good.

  • Reply
    Brianna Hobbs
    July 25, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    This looks fantastic! I am going to have to see if I can figure out a way to make it dairy free. Maybe homemade cashew cream?

    • Reply
      Amanda
      July 26, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      I think that would work…I’m gonna try it soon!

  • Reply
    Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
    June 5, 2016 at 11:54 am

    I love easy meals like this – it looks so delicious!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      June 6, 2016 at 10:09 am

      I love easy meals too! Especially ones that taste like hours in the kitchen, when in reality it was 30 minutes or less!

  • Reply
    Kaila (GF Life 24/7)
    June 5, 2016 at 8:39 am

    This sounds delicious! We use chicken sausage in our house quite a bit, so I’m sure it would taste good. And, I love how you use penne pasta to hold up some of the sauce. 🙂

    • Reply
      Amanda
      June 6, 2016 at 10:03 am

      The penne does a great job of holding up the sauce. I’m new to using chicken sausage, but I am loving it!

  • Reply
    Alisa Fleming
    June 3, 2016 at 11:38 pm

    Ooh, I love penne with vodka sauce, but hadn’t tried it with chicken sausage. SO making that! I’m wondering if they have that brand in my area, as I haven’t seen it yet.

    • Reply
      Amanda
      June 4, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      It’s a fairly new brand, they are expanding.. It can be made with pork sausage, but I really loved the flavor of this particular chicken sausage!

  • Reply
    Wendy
    June 3, 2016 at 6:35 pm

    This sounds really good! My husband adores vodka sauce – I will have to make it for him!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      June 4, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      My husband loves Vodka sauce as well…and this is his favorite!

  • Reply
    Megan
    June 1, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    I’ve never had vodka sauce…looks like I’ve been missing out!

  • Reply
    Gluten Free With Emily
    June 1, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    This recipe looks amazing!

  • Reply
    Kristina
    May 31, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    this sauce sounds lovely – and I can definitely pair it with a plant based meal!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 10:54 pm

      That would be great!

  • Reply
    Nutrimom
    May 31, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    Looks delicious!

  • Reply
    Evi
    May 31, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    This looks good. I’ll have to share this recipe with my sister who is gluten free.

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 3:01 pm

      That would be great! And if your not gluten free, just use regular pasta 🙂

  • Reply
    Jackie
    May 31, 2016 at 1:18 pm

    Looks delicious! Can’t wait to try!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      Hope you love it!

  • Reply
    Silvia
    May 31, 2016 at 11:01 am

    I never thought you can make pasta with vodka. That’s interesting. 🙂

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 11:09 am

      It’s one of our families favorites!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 11:09 am

      It’s awesome! Adds great flavor!

  • Reply
    Rebecca
    May 31, 2016 at 10:36 am

    I love adding a little spice to my pasta dishes!

  • Reply
    Mahy
    May 31, 2016 at 10:04 am

    This would be my perfect comfort dinner anytime!

  • Reply
    Sally - My Custard Pie
    May 31, 2016 at 9:56 am

    Always useful to have a pasta recipe to hand – you can never have enough. Love pasta, tomato and vodka combination.

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 11:08 am

      It is a fantastic combo, makes a great base sauce for lots of dishes!

  • Reply
    Kate
    May 31, 2016 at 9:55 am

    This looks fantastic! My brother can’t eat gluten and he’s coming over for dinner this week. I’ll have to give this a try!

    • Reply
      Amanda
      May 31, 2016 at 11:08 am

      You should, it’s so easy!

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