Penne alla "not-ka" is a low calorie knock-off version of Penne alla vodka. A simple, meat-less dish of tube-shaped penne pasta covered in a spicy tomato cream sauce that screams “now that’s Italian!". So delicious and satisfying, you won’t miss the vodka or calories.

I can give up eating meat, but I could never give up pasta. I know, pasta if full of carbohydrates, but there are so many types of healthy pastas now. Go ahead; try making this penne alla not-ka with whole wheat or gluten free pasta. The sauce is so full of flavor that any pasta will suffice.

This penne alla "not-ka" is modified from the Cook Yourself Thin cookbook.  I doubled the recipe and substituted half & half for heavy cream (too many calories) and evaporated nonfat milk (just didn't have it in my pantry).  My recipe resulted in less calories. 

Penne Alla "Not-Ka"

Adapted from Cook Yourself Thin 

Serves 8


Ingredients:

1-tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic

1 red onion, chopped

1-teaspoon salt

1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes or whole tomatoes in juice, pureed in a food processor

1-teaspoon red pepper flakes

16 ounces penne

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup shredded fresh basil

1/2-teaspoon black pepper

¾ cup Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the penne.


2. In a large saucepan, heat the oil with the garlic over low heat until the garlic begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and ½ salt, cover, and cook until the onion is softened, about 2 more minutes. Add the tomato, 1/2-teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat and simmer very gently 10 minutes. Stir in the half and half and simmer 1 more minute.


3. Meanwhile, after the sauce has cooked 5 minutes, add the penne to the boiling water and cook until just shy of al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1 cup pasta water. Add the drained penne to the saucepan and simmer until the penne is al dente, 1 to 2 minutes, adding a little of the pasta cooking water if the mixture is dry. Stir in the Parmesan, along with the basil and black pepper.



Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 201 g

Amount Per Serving
Calories 267
Calories from Fat 70
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7.7g 12%
Saturated Fat 3.2g 16%
Cholesterol 55mg1 8%
Sodium 461mg 19%
Total Carbohydrates 38.2g 13%
Dietary Fiber 1.6g 6%
Sugars 3.3g
Protein 11.7g

Vitamin A 22%•Vitamin C 25%Calcium 15%•Iron 14%
Nutrition Grade B+
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet