Penne alla Vodka gets a nutritious makeover with this Healthy Pasta alla Vodka! This dish swaps out pasta for spaghetti squash and adds hearty sausage, earthy kale and pine nuts for a comforting and delicious dinner that doesn’t sacrificing flavor!
Helllllllo Lovelies! How was your weekend? You do anything exciting? Or, did you stay in the comfort of you pajamas and warmth of your house, recovering from the brutal first work week of the New Year?
As for me, we are only 11 days into 2016 and I already broke one of my New Year goals. Which is fine, because to be honest, I knew this one particular goal was going to be a pain in my patoot…
I worked on blog related shenanigans all day, both Saturday and Sunday. I just can’t help myself! I love being in the kitchen developing recipes. I love forcing Boy to taste test every single creation, even when it needs a LOT of tweaking. (<– Insert evil grin here) And, I love sharing the recipes with you guys when I finally get it right.
So sue me. I worked on NSN stuff both days. There are far worse things I could do. Am I right?
Anyways, while I did break one goal, I also did accomplish one goal. I forgave myself. Woot woot!
You see these pictures here today? I hate them… and that’s putting it lightly.
But, I forgive myself for taking crappy picture of such a delicious dish. So I’m posting them anyways. I may be grimacing, with pain radiating from my eye balls due to the site of these photos, but I forgive myself.
Yes, Boy already told me I am crazy. And, yes I know I am being dramatic. I forgive myself for that too. 😉
One goal for 2016 accomplished.
So what are these (awful) pictures of?
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Healthy Pasta alla Vodka
AKA – Spaghetti Squash alla Vodka Boats.
I absolutely adore penne alla vodka, but what I do not adore are all the calories that come with it. So, I decided to give one of my favorite comforting dishes a healthy makeover… while adding tons of additional flavor.
I nixed the penne in favor of one of my favorite spaghetti substitutes – squash – and, I cut the amount of heavy cream significantly.
Then, I added kale for tons of nutrients and omega 3s, pine nuts to help boost your energy and reduce your risk for heart disease, crumbled mild sausage for a bit of hearty comfort and asiago cheese because, well… cheese makes me happy. Besides, 1 ounce serving of asiago has 7 grams of protein and it is a rich source of calcium.
You’re welcome. 😉
With silky, smooth strands of squash, chunks of juicy, salty pork sausage, oodles of earthy kale, a sprinkling of crunchy pine nuts, and a smoky, sweet, slightly spicy, barely boozy, roasted red pepper sauce, this made-over, healthy pasta alla vodka is ultimate in the comfort food department.
These boats are savory, saucy and seriously delish.
I did make this spaghetti alla vodka over the weekend, but with a little planning they can be weeknight dinner obtainable! Simply bake your spaghetti squash prior, scrape the strands from the skin and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you are ready to get your alla vodka on, simply prepare the sauce and cook the sausage and kale.
Wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am. Dinner is served!
So if penne alla vodka is your jam, but you are trying to be a healthier new you, I urge you to try this healthy pasta alla vodka. Loaded with flavor and healthy eats, I know you and your family will love these boats as much as we did. Until next time, Cheers – to never sacrificing flavor.
Cheyanne
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More recipes with spaghetti squash!
How to make the best Healthy Pasta alla Vodka👇
Healthy Pasta alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 2 medium Spaghetti Squash – halved and seeds removed
- 1 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt , to taste
- Ground Black Pepper , to taste
- Vodka-Red Pepper Cream Sauce: (Yield: 2 Cups)
- 2 TBS Unsalted Butter
- 1 Shallot – minced (about 1/3 heaping cup)
- 3 Cloves Garlic – minced
- 1 TBS Tomato Paste
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 (12 oz.) Jar Roasted Red Peppers – drained & roughly chopped (can substitute freshly roasted)
- 1/3 Cup Vodka
- ¾ Cup Heavy Cream
- Toppings:
- 1 Pound Ground Mild Sausage
- 1 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Asiago – freshly grated, or more to taste
- ½ Cup Pine Nuts
- 1 Bunch Kale – stems removed and roughly chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti Squash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Drizzle, or use a pastry brush to apply olive oil to the flesh (insides) of the spaghetti squash. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Transfer squash, cut side DOWN, to prepared baking sheet. Roast in the oven until easily pierced with a fork and cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle. When cool enough to handle, use a fork to scrape strands from the skin of spaghetti squash. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, Make the Vodka-Roasted Red Pepper Sauce: Over medium heat, melt the butter in a medium sauce pan. Add in the shallots and cook until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic, tomato paste, crushed red pepper, ¼ tsp salt and a pinch of pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. CAREFULLY add in the vodka and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the roasted red peppers. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use an immersion blender, or transfer to a stand blender, and puree until smooth. (If using a stand blender, transfer back to sauce pan). Add in the heavy cream and cook until warmed and incorporated, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- And, Cook the Sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until brown, stirring occasionally and breaking up into pieces, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the Kale and season with ½ tsp of each, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté another 3-4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and set aside.
- To Serve: Transfer the empty large skillet with sausage drippings back to the stove over medium-low heat. Add in the spaghetti squash strands, sausage mixture and pour in sauce. Toss to coat. Heat until warmed throughout. Divide spaghetti squash between bowls or empty squash boats. Top with pine nuts and asiago*. Serve and Enjoy!
Your spaghetti squash boats look delicious just as your photos are terrific as far as I’m concerned. They make me want to head to the market. 🙂
You’re crazy for thinking these pictures are anything less than superb!! They sure did the job of making spaghetti squash look like the next best thing since fried chicken! Seriously! I will happily substitute for Boy whenever you need a taste tester should he be unable to make it for one of your cooking/baking sessions! 🙂 XO
I don’t know what you’re talking about, your photos are great! And these spaghetti squash bowls look unreal. I haven’t boarded the spaghetti squash train yet, but I am getting on board now!!!!
I like vodka in my glass and in my sauce so I’m loving this recipe! Willis don’t know whatcha talkin’ bout with bad food photos. If you really want to see some bad food photos, pop on over to my blog! hahaha! And seriously, get yo ass out of the kitchen…preferably this coming April when you need to head out to Vegas with me and a girlfriend. We are in the midst of planning the trip so you should think about coming too 🙂
So, I totally get how it is to hate photos, but girl you really are nuts! These photos are fantastic! I’m a huuuuuge penne alla vodka fan and for some reason haven’t made it in ages. I’m definitely trying this out! I love the addition of sausage, kale, and pine nuts. Pinned!
Yes! Spaghetti Squash, my one true love. This looks seriously amazing, thank you for working through the weekend to bring us this kind of deliciousness. And I don’t know what you are talking about, your photos are beautiful Pinning!
This looks like my dream meal! I love recipe makeovers like this. And spaghetti squash is the bomb. Looks wonderful!
I love your pictures! This recipe sounds perfect for the freezing winter coming upon us. Thanks for sharing!
You must be crazy, these pictures are so bright and beautiful. I especially love the close up of the pan one. But, I hear ya, we truly are our worst critics. I find brown curries just suck and I have no clue how to make it work.
Oh well anyways, the good thing is I love that you forgave yourself, enjoyed the process and hey we all need a taste tester. You are an awesome person and this dish looks so so amazing. Healthy and so fancy in a way.
I’ve been so busy after the New Years, kind of overwhelming in a way. Projects, kids, their school bees, taking them around. I’m slowly getting back to a routine and after 10 days, I’m feel a bit relaxed.
Enjoy your day lovely and pinning this for sure.
xx
Oh, I love this!! My hubby is obsessed with spaghetti squash, but I definitely get stuck in the rut of doing it with beef or sausage marinara over and over. I never know what else to put on it, but this is such a great idea! Will definitely have to try!
You are crazy. These photos are gorgeous! And that creamy dreamy sauce mixed with spaghetti squash is making me wish I had a huge bowl of it right now.
We’re so hard on ourselves, right? Your photos do NOT suck. I find that some things are harder to photograph than others.. you’ve photographed cheese, right? Quesadillas? How about a casserole? OMGeee and I know I would have a hard time with Spag. Squash. It’s a work in progress, because every time you pick up that camera, I know, just like me, you’re learning something new. So take it easy my dear. You’ve got my mouth watering!! I love the idea of mixin up vodka cream sauce with anything, and I love how you’ve done that with squash. I’ve got one in my kitch I’ve been staring at for a week, wondering what I’ll do with it! Thank you my dear! xo
It’s cracking me up that you are saying you hate your pictures – they look absolutely amazing! Food bloggers (myself included…BIG TIME) are always so critical of their own photography. Which I think is a good thing! You don’t want to settle for anything less than amazing. But the pictures look wonderful, and this meal sounds delicious.
I love spaghetti squash! These pictures are not awful at all 🙂 Looks beautiful! The sauce sounds amazing! And weekends are for testing recipes, right 🙂 Pinned!
Hey girl with the beautiful foodie photos here — you rock! And don’t you forget it. You have *permission* to work on the weekends or not. Ha. You da boss and you love what you do. There are worse things. So there. Self-forgiveness is key. 🙂 Inspired recipe today and you know I’d love to sink my fork into that deliciousness. My boys would abdicate on account of the spaghetti squash but that’s ok. More for me and their dad. Have a fabulous week my dear!
I seriously love everything about this. Perfection!
I find the pictures lovely as well. I have heard so many times of this kind of vodka sauce but never felt confident enough to make it, I mean I can work with wine but vodka…. As your pictures totally make me drool, I will have to give this a try, I hope I can find a spaghetti squash soon, there is enough vodka in the house…. And I will have to find a day when the kids are at their grandma or somewhere….
Girl, I think these photos look amazing! I’m so glad you posted it because I can’t wait to try it! Penne alla vodka is one of my husband’s favorite – it was one of the dishes served at our wedding. Making it with spaghetti squash instead is such a great idea! Love it!
Ooh, I’ve always been tempted to try making penne alla vodka, and this looks like a fantastic twist on it! 😀
I don’t think you can take a bad picture, Chey! I look at your pictures and think, “I want mine to look like that”. Sometimes we are our own worst critic. Now, this is a Pene alla Vodka twist I can make and eat without all the guilt. I love how you lightened it up and packed it with loads of nutrients! Spaghetti squash is a perfect substitution for carbs. This dish definitely does not lack in flavor and or eye appeal. I love how you served it in the hollowed out squash!
Boy is one lucky guy! Man, I wish I could be your taste tester! I have a serious love for penne alla vodka and I’m seriously loving this healthy spin with the spaghetti squash! I think I could drench all of my food in that creamy sauce!
Oh man, you are a genius!! The hubs love vodka sauce but we cannot have it every week with all that pasta. This is such a great idea! Love you for making this for us 🙂
You are so…funny. Love your sense of humor. I absolutely love Vodka Cream Sauce and stay away from it on purpose. This sounds fabulous and I’m definitely going to try it. And, I L.O.V.E. your pictures. But, I completely understand the perfectionist in all of us. Happy New Year!
Are you kidding me?????! If these are your “bad” photos, then you are one lucky gal. Sheesh! My photos don’t look anywhere near as beautiful as these. But I do love the goals you made for yourself. Smiles for that!
I love your photos, especially the close up! I had to laugh at your first sentence because I got into my pajamas today earlier than I would have liked 😛 If it’s a boat, does it float? 😉
I can’t imagine why you would hate these photos. They look amazing! So much so that I want to dig a fork right into the screen and take a bite!! Seriously, I was just perusing your Food Gawker gallery and girl, you have amazing food and photos! I am hooked!! 🙂
Hahahah this sounds like me right before I put my last post up, whinging to anyone around that I was just NOT HAPPY with my photos and UGH I just want to try again but what about those SHINY PLATES and the light and the focus and… I eventually shut up and just posted it anyway, realising (half-heartedly) that probably no one notices or cares nearly as much as I do haha! and your photos look beautiful here anyway, and really capture the grated cheese and pinenuts so well I just want to dig right in! Love the idea of making little boats with squash too, must give it a try!
First these photos are so not awful! But I totally know that feeling – when I almost don’t post something because I hate the photos. And then realize that the tastiness of the food outweighs my craziness 😉 And these sound amazinggggg.
WHAAAT, these pictures are wonderful! You are definitely way too hard on yourself!
I’ve been wanting to make spaghetti squash for Zach but I just know he will probably balk just at the thought of it, so adding in some sausage and vodka should do the trick to convince him to give it a shot! Thanks for the awesome recipe, and I can’t wait to try it out! 😀
I love working on the weekends photographing and developing recipes! For me it’s the only time I have and with no shame I sometimes cancel plans and social things to be myself in the kitchen all day. But I LOVE it. And I’m sure Boy loves it too even if it hasn’t been perfected yet! Love these squash bowls! I need more vegetables in the new year!
Wow! What a gorgeously creative meal idea! And your photos are so pretty! Love it!
These GORGEOUS photos are making me drool all over – girl, I adore spaghetti squash and using it to lighten up Penne alla Vodka is pretty genius! OOh and so so love that you thre in kale and pine nuts! Just saying – you wouldn’t have to force me to taste test any of your recipes…and I’m just a drive away 🙂
xoxo
HECK YES. First, shush over these pictures – they are AWESOME and making me totally want this for lunch. Second, I want this ASAP but since I don’t have time to make it for lunch, it’s definitely happening for dinner soon. It looks amazing! Swooning over all that melty cheese with the pine nuts and sausage!
Love your boats! 🙂 I don’t eat spaghetti squash nearly often enough, but your version has inspired me to put it on my shopping list this week and cook this up!
Girl, whatchu talkin’ bout ugly photos? They are gorgeous as always! I’m certainly glad that you forgave yourself because I’m not so sure I could forgive you for NOT sharing this genius lightened up vodka sauce in a spaghetti squash boat! If you still feel bad about your pics (mistakenly), feel free to drive on over on Saturday and join me for an all day photography workshop. Lord knows I need it and would love the company! 🙂 Cheers!
And why are you hating these pictures? I’d really like to know…they’re beautiful and they’re making me hungry – so your job here is done! I love my vodka sauce…so I will love this! I need to get myself some spaghetti squash this weekend – you’ve inspired me…again! xoxo
This looks really good! Cant go wrong with Vodka anything, lol. Happy New Year. Take care. BTW I like the photos :-).
Cheyanne – I’ve never made a recipe with spaghetti squash! I don’t know why – but it’s one of the vegetables that I just never got around to experimenting with. But you’ve inspired me to go out and buy a spaghetti squash. Love how you’ve lightened up the sauce. And I don’t know what you’re talking about – your picture look great!
You’ve managed to put ALL my favorites into these boats — love ’em!
I love spaghetti squash even more than pasta — is that strange? I love that you lightened this up and that sauce sounds amazing! This recipe is a keeper and I can’t wait to try it!
we’re huuuuge fans of spaghetti squash in my house. think my boys haven’t figured out it’s a vegetable yet! love the sauce…it sounds slurp-able. pinned!
I love spaghetti squash but don’t cook it nearly as much as I should. I love that you added fresh kale and the alla vodka sauce. So good!
This spaghetti squash looks awesome! I think I’d actually prefer this one to the regular spaghetti! With all these delicious ingredients, this dish is amazing!
I end up spending most of my weekends doing blog things too … but it gives me so much joy I just cannot help myself. I still can’t believe we both have spaghetti squash recipes today!! We read each other’s minds!! Haha 😉 This looks INCREDIBLE Cheyanne! I LOVE your vodka sauce and want to drink it uppppp. Happy Monday dear! XOXO
This looks beyond delicious! I want to drink that sauce, Cheyanne.
I don’t think you have to apologize for working hard. Or for taking awesome pics that you don’t like for some reason. Girl, enjoy the ride! It’s brilliant to make anything a la vodka healthier!
I LOVE penne alla vodka too Cheyanne, so I LOVE this healthier version! The addition of the sausage and kale is perfect! When you get to be my age you have to watch everything you eat! (insert sad face here!) Gone are the days of eating snacks by the bag full while guzzling cans of Coke! Oh, those were the days! And your pictures are great! Enjoy the week! XO
girl you are too hard on yourself! these photos are gorgeous! and I am so making these spaghetti squash boats!!!!
Great recipe and the most amazing pics! Thanks for sharing!
I think your photos look beautiful! But I so know what you mean when you hate the photos you take and want to throw them across the room 🙂 This dish sounds seriously delicious!!
Goals were meant to be broken every now and then, especially in January! At least that’s my motto! 🙂 This spaghetti squash looks SO good, Cheyanne! I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never made that before, but I definitely need to start after seeing this recipe. I love the sausage and kale in here! Especially with the vodka sauce. Yum! Pinned, of course!
This looks amazing! You know what though? I have never had vodka in a savoury dish before. I mean, I love me some cocktails and I love food, so you would think it would be something I was having daily, but I never have. I think I need to change that soon, don’t I!
OMG, Chey. What have you done? Even pumpkins get drunk in your bourbon country!:) All right. I’m just being jealous for you having developed and tried such a delicious recipe. I love the addition of pine nuts, kale, cheese, and sausages (Well, do you really think the sausages have less calories and fats than that 1/2 cup of cream your got rid of?). Delicious and comfort meal. And answering your question, I spent my weekend beautifully. I was sleeping a lot. Then a bit more. And more. Needless to mention those little naps:)
This looks amazing…as usual! I need to start coming to your house for dinner. Everything sounds…and looks so yummy!
I’m glad you forgave yourself because these are beautiful pictures of an amazing dish! And because I know NSN work probably made you a happy lady all weekend, long, so you can’t argue with that. And I can’t wait to try these amazing squash and sausage boats! I love asiago cheese and you know I’m all about the healthy makeovers. This one looks so tasty! It will bring the alla vodka back into my life for sure 🙂 Pinning and looking forward to devouring! Have a fabulous week!
FIRST of all, those are lovely pictures – I can practically taste these delectable boats from here! And if working on NSN made you happy this weekend, then that’s okay (and lucky us!) – have a great week my friend! Pinning this deliciousness! xo