I’m not going to lie. Like most people, I like to post nice looking photos on IG but these past 2 days were anything but ‘nice.’ I think every single one of us in my family had a meltdown… me included! So I was NOT in the mood to cook and needed something everyone would like and FAST.

(PSA: if you have friends or family with small kids/babies/special needs kids… check on them. They don’t get to watch TV or a movie or take up a new hobby or go on leisurely walks or whatever it is that people with older kids or no kids get to do. It’s not a complaint, it’s a fact. With 3 completely dependent kids, I get zero time to myself and I just cracked. It happens. We will survive. I’m grateful we are all healthy, safe, have food to eat and clean water to drink. Things could be so so much worse. But we all have our challenges, and sometimes it’s a lot.)

So… back to my dinner. I had an open jar of marinara sauce, and it was almost dinnertime. I didn’t feel like “just” pasta & red sauce, so took a quick look through my fridge/pantry and came up with this: Fusilli alla Vodka! (because I didn’t have penne, lol!)

It was my first time making this but it was quick, fast, easy and EVERYONE devoured it! See my IG Highlights for the making-of! 🙂

A little sautéed garlic, some dried basil & oregano, some blended silken tofu  and some organic vodka (let’s be honest… who’s NOT drinking more during these crazy times? Even my pasta needed a drink! HA!). Toss it all with some Andean Dream fusilli pasta and… delish! I sprinkled vegan parm on top of ours and added fresh basil from our garden. I also served it with steamed Swiss chard from our Lettuce Grow farmstand (so fresh and tender even the 3 year old asked for seconds!).

(if you make it, be sure to tag me so I can see!) 🙂
MANGIA!
xoxo

Fast Fusilli alla Vodka (vegan & gluten free)

Ingredients

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• ½-1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 package silken/soft tofu, blended until smooth
• ¼ cup organic vodka
• 12-16 oz pasta (traditionally penne, but I used fusilli since that is what I had!)

Optional

• Fresh basil for garnish (I used some from my garden. So good! Even the 3 year old asked for more in her pasta!)
• Vegan parm like GoVeggie to sprinkle on top

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan
2. Add garlic and Sauté 1-2 minutes until just starting to brown
3. Add marinara, blended tofu, vodka, basil and salt
4. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let simmer about 10 minutes (longer if you have the time/patience)
5. Prepare pasta according to package instructions
6. Toss pasta with sauce, top with basil (optional)
7. Enjoy!