Vodka Sauce On Keto: What You Need To Know

Vodka sauce is a creamy tomato sauce with Parmesan cheese. The vodka acts as a binder in this sauce and stops the cream from separating. It also brings out the flavours of the tomato and cream. The alcohol evaporates during cooking, so you can't taste it. However, it is possible to make this sauce without vodka, replacing it with lemon juice and water.

There are many recipes for keto-friendly vodka sauce online, which are served with low-carb alternatives to pasta, such as zucchini noodles, celeriac noodles, or Palmini pasta. However, some store-bought vodka sauces are not keto-friendly, as they are high in net carbs and contain unhealthy ingredients.

Is Bertolli Vodka Sauce keto-friendly?

The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that involves reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, which makes your body more efficient at burning fat for energy.

No, Bertolli Vodka Sauce is not keto-friendly. A 100g serving of the sauce contains 7.2g of net carbs, which is considered high for a keto diet. To stay in ketosis, it is recommended to limit your daily net carb consumption to 20-30g.

Ingredients

The sauce contains a number of ingredients that are not keto-friendly, including sugar and highly-refined oils. Sugar is a high-glycemic sweetener that can raise your blood sugar levels and prevent you from reaching ketosis.

Alternatives

If you are looking for a keto-friendly pasta sauce, there are several alternative brands that offer low-carb options. These include Organic Pesto Genovese, Organic Tomato Basil Sauce, and Organic Keto Marinara Sauce. You can also make your own keto-friendly vodka sauce at home using recipes available online.

How many carbs are in vodka sauce?

The number of carbohydrates in vodka sauce depends on the specific recipe used and the ingredients added. Vodka sauce is typically made with vodka, tomatoes, cream, cheese, and spices, and can be served over zucchini noodles, shirataki noodles, or cauliflower rice.

For example, a vodka sauce recipe from Joy Filled Eats that serves four people indicates that each serving contains 4 grams of carbohydrates. Similarly, another recipe for keto vodka pasta sauce from Kimspired DIY, which serves an unspecified number of people, has 16 grams of carbohydrates in total.

On the other hand, a commercially available vodka sauce by Bertolli is described as not keto-friendly due to its high carb content. With 7.2 grams of net carbs per 100-gram serving, it is considered a high-carb processed food.

What foods can you eat vodka sauce with?

Vodka sauce is a versatile sauce that can be paired with many different types of food. Here are some ideas for what to eat with vodka sauce:

Proteins

Vodka sauce pairs well with various proteins, including chicken, shrimp, Italian sausage, ground beef, and other seafood proteins like scallops and lobster. The creaminess of the sauce and the richness of the tomatoes complement chicken dishes perfectly. Penne alla vodka with shrimp is a popular choice on Italian restaurant menus worldwide.

Pasta

The most popular types of pasta to pair with vodka sauce are penne and rigatoni, as the shape of these noodles allows them to gather the delicious sauce. However, other types of pasta, such as orecchiette (also known as "little ear" pasta), can also work well. The complex flavours of vodka sauce make it a perfect addition to any pasta dish.

Vegetables

Vodka sauce can also be served with vegetables such as roasted asparagus, broccolini, roasted zucchini, squash, or eggplant.

Breads

Garlic bread or focaccia are also great options to serve with vodka sauce, as they can help mop up any extra sauce.

Salads

A simple salad with vinaigrette or a vinegar-based dressing can also be a good side dish to accompany vodka sauce.

Other dishes

Vodka sauce can also be used in other dishes such as pizza, meatball sandwiches, or lasagna. It can be a tasty addition to grilled vegetables, melty sandwiches, or even your next homemade pizza night. Vodka sauce has enough personality to be its own main event, so feel free to get creative!

Can you make a vegan version of vodka sauce?

Yes, you can make a vegan version of vodka sauce!

Vodka sauce is traditionally made by combining tomato sauce, herbs, vodka, and heavy cream. To make a vegan version, you can swap out the heavy cream for a plant-based alternative like cashew cream or coconut cream. You can also use vegan butter or olive oil instead of regular butter.

Here's a recipe for vegan vodka sauce that serves 4:

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil or vegan butter
• 1 1/2 cups chopped white or yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup cashew parmesan
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped basil, plus more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter or olive oil
• 1/3 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup vegan parmesan
• 16 ounces uncooked pasta of your choice

Instructions:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
• Add the cashews to a bowl and cover them with boiling water. If your blender struggles with cashews, you can also boil them for 20 minutes.
• Mince the garlic and chop the onion. Add them to a saute pan with the olive oil (or vegan butter). Saute until lightly golden brown, which should take around 5 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Add in the tomato paste and saute for 2-3 more minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and pour in the vodka. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Make sure all of the vodka cooks off before moving on to the next step.
• Add the cans of tomatoes to the mixture, along with half of the salt. Simmer for around 10 minutes to let the flavors blend.
• Transfer the mixture to a blender. Add in the drained and rinsed cashews and all remaining ingredients, including the remaining salt but excluding the basil.
• Blend until smooth, which should take around 1 full minute.
• Pour the sauce back into the saute pan. Stir in the basil. If using vegan parmesan cheese, stir it in and cook for a couple of minutes.
• Combine the sauce with your cooked pasta and stir until well incorporated.
• Top with extra fresh basil and enjoy!

This vegan vodka sauce is creamy, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes. You can also make it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm it up on the stove with a splash of milk to keep it nice and creamy.

Can you freeze vodka sauce?

Yes, you can freeze vodka sauce. It is a convenient way to preserve leftovers.

To freeze vodka sauce, first, let the sauce cool to room temperature. Then, transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container. It is important to choose a container that facilitates the thawing process. For example, you can use a shallow container, a ziplock freezer bag, or a plastic bag. If using a plastic bag, double bag it to prevent tearing.

When you are ready to enjoy your frozen vodka sauce, there are a few ways to reheat it. You can thaw it in the refrigerator a day or two in advance and then heat it on the stovetop. Alternatively, you can warm it gently in the microwave for about four minutes. Adding a splash of cream while reheating can help restore its creamy texture.

By following these steps, you can successfully freeze and enjoy vodka sauce at a later time.

Frequently asked questions