Creamy Vegan Gigi Hadid Pasta

When model Gigi Hadid first shared her spicy vodka sauce recipe on Instagram, I knew I had to try making a vegan version at home. There's nothing I love more than an easy and delicious pasta recipe. Pasta is just so comforting, satisfying, and one of my favorite easy vegan dinners to make.

Not only was making this pasta recipe vegan incredibly easy, it's also unbelievably flavorful. This is a must try recipe!

• Dairy free vodka sauce: This recipe uses coconut cream instead of heavy cream as well as vegan butter and vegan parmesan cheese, making it is a dairy free and vegan penne alla vodka sauce!
• 30 minutes: Just like my Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta and Flavorful Vegan Parsley Pesto Tofu (with pasta), this pasta is ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick, easy, and comforting.
• No appliances necessary: A lot of vegan cream substitutes are made from cashews, which requires a blender and additional steps. This recipe uses coconut cream instead, making it as easy as possible!
• Alcohol free: Although vodka sauce is typically made with a small amount of vodka, I find it's equally good without, making it suitable for people who don't drink alcohol or if you don't have any on hand in the kitchen!

• tomato paste - Tomato paste is the base of the Gigi Hadid sauce and is an essential ingredient! It cannot be substituted for tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes because tomato paste is much thicker and deeper in flavor.
• coconut cream - Gigi Hadid uses heavy cream in her vodka sauce, but to make this version dairy free, opt for coconut cream. It doesn't have a strong coconut flavor and it's equally thick and creamy. Make sure to use the thick white part of the cream on the top of the can for the best creamy flavor. If you have any leftover coconut cream, be sure to try my Easy Gluten Free Tomato Soup!
• reserved pasta water - Adding a bit of pasta water into the sauce is going to help thicken the sauce from the pasta starches and it will also help your vodka sauce stick to your pasta better.
• crushed red pepper - Gigi makes her vodka sauce spicy with the addition of crushed red pepper. I add ½ tablespoon to my sauce, but adjust the amount based on your own spice preference. Remember that you can always add more, but it is difficult to make it less spicy!
• olive oil - Gigi uses both olive oil and butter in her original vodka sauce recipe, but if you're out of olive oil, you can substitute ¼ cup vegan butter in it's place.

1. Boil the pasta: Cook your penne according to package instructions and set aside, reserving one half cup of the pasta water. Next, prepare the vegan penne alla vodka sauce!
2. Saute the garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil until hot, then add in the minced garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent the garlic from burning.
3. Add the tomato paste: Once the garlic is fragrant, whisk in the tomato paste. Then saute the tomato paste and garlic together for an additional 4 minutes or so, until the tomato paste has darkened in color.

1. Add the coconut cream: Whisk in the coconut cream until completely incorporated with the tomato paste and garlic. The vodka sauce should be quite smooth and turn an orange color.

1. Whisk in the vegan butter and parmesan: Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the vegan parmesan and vegan butter. Allow it to melt into the vodka sauce, about 1-2 minutes.

1. Add reserved pasta water: First stir in ⅓ cup of pasta water and taste. If you find the sauce thick and creamy enough, stop there. If you prefer a thicker, creamier vodka sauce, add the remaining water (I usually do).
2. Stir in basil: Once your sauce is thick enough to your liking, whisk in the fresh basil and allow the sauce to simmer for 3 minutes.

1. Serve! Enjoy your vegan Gigi Hadid pasta hot and garnished with additional vegan parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Yes, vodka sauce is freezer friendly! I do not recommend freezing the vodka sauce on top of the pasta. Always freeze the vodka sauce separately (without pasta water, if needed). Once cool, transfer the vodka sauce to a freezer safe, airtight container or jar and freeze for up to 6 months in the freezer. Then thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours until defrosted.

In Gigi Hadid's pasta recipe on Instagram stories, she uses pasta shells but any pasta will do! I like using penne for a classic penne alla vodka pasta dish, but any tube-shaped pasta like rigatoni or ziti will work.

Vodka sauce is different from marinara sauce because it includes a heavy cream (or coconut cream if dairy free) that changes its color from red to orange and makes it richer and creamier than marinara.

Yes, this vodka sauce doesn't include any vodka sauce at all, making it alcohol free. If you are out of vodka, no problem! Simply omit it in vodka sauce like I do in my Gigi Hadid pasta.

• Don't forget to reserve the pasta water! It's important to help thicken your vodka sauce and make it as creamy as possible. It also helps the sauce stick to the penne.
• Use coconut cream, not coconut milk. Coconut cream has a higher coconut to water ratio, making it significantly more rich and creamy than coconut milk. Make sure to use coconut cream here - it makes a difference.
• If you are sensitive to spice, start with less crushed red pepper. You can always add more if you feel it needs more, but it is hard to subtract it once it's added!

Cozy Vegan Hamburger Helper

Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Sage Pasta

Flavorful Vegan Parsley Pesto Tofu (with pasta)

Easy Vegan Buffalo Mac and Cheese