Okay this recipe is absofreakinglutely amazing!  This was my first time making it so I had no idea what to expect, but I was thrilled because I have not had decent Italian food in years!  Every Italian place I used to like only serves pizza or pasta.. neither of which gluten or lactose free. One of the worst things about my intolerances is that I AM Italian, and feel like I completely disgrace my ancestors by not being able to partake in our annual Ravioli’s every Christmas.. I’m trying to make up for it, I swear Grandma!!

This delish dish came right off of Reddit, but I made it gf/lf with substitutes. Here we go:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 8 oz hot Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1 cup vodka
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 lb uncooked gluten free penne pasta (Ronzoni is my favorite and can be found here)
• ¾ cup lactose-free half & half (Organic Valley brand does it right)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil leaves
• *For toppings: Lactose-free Parmesan cheese* (Go Veggie! is the best brand and can be found here)*

Instructions

1. Bring pasta to a boil in a stovetop sauce pot. Taste test periodically for desired doneness.
2. While that is cooking, in another stove top pan, add sausage with olive oil, garlic, shallot, salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is no longer pink.
3. Add the vodka, chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, and the rest of the spices. Bring to a boil.
4. Put on simmer and add the half & half, stirring occasionally. Cook for 15-2o minutes until the mixture becomes thicker.

The sauce is so flavorful and creamy, yet light and not overpowering. I even sprinkled some gelatin over it! (Read about the health benefits of gelatin in my last post here. The sausage gives it a nice kick of spicy!  I recommend that you pair this dish with a drier Italian wine to cleanse the pallet during the course of the meal, and mmm! Delizioso indeed!