Vodka sauce is a delicious and creamy pasta sauce that is made with vodka, tomato paste, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
It is a popular sauce to use in Italian dishes and can be served with a variety of different vegetables.
So if you are wondering ‘what vegetables go well with vodka sauce‘, then you are in the right place.
I’m sharing a list of 15 vegetables that go well with vodka sauce including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, and more.
What Vegetables Go with Vodka Sauce?
There are many vegetables that go with vodka sauce. Some of the best options include mushrooms, zucchini, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, and spinach. You could also add in some diced tomatoes or red peppers for a bit of color.
Still looking for ideas?
Then keep scrolling!
Here are 15 vegetables that go with vodka sauce:
1. Broccoli
Although most people think of broccoli as boring, I think it goes really well with vodka sauce.
To make it more interesting, I like to cook it in a variety of ways.
Sometimes I’ll roast it in the oven with some garlic and olive oil, other times I’ll sauté it with some onions and peppers.
Broccoli pairs well with other ingredients too.
For example, I often add it to pasta dishes with chicken or shrimp.
I think it also goes well with potatoes, so I often make roasted potatoes and broccoli as a side dish.
2. Cauliflower
Sure, this veg doesn’t look the most exciting, but trust me, it’s a flavor powerhouse that can really elevate a dish.
There are a few ways to prepare cauliflower, but my favorite is roasting.
Just chop it into bite-sized pieces, toss with some olive oil and your favorite seasonings, and roast in a hot oven until it’s nice and brown.
Cauliflower is a great addition to pasta dishes, especially ones with a richer sauce like vodka sauce.
It soaks up all the flavor and adds a nice bit of texture and bulk.
You could also add some other veggies to this combo, like broccoli or mushrooms.
And for a heartier meal, you could serve it with some grilled chicken or shrimp.
3. Carrots
Carrots are not only great for adding a lot of beautiful color to your dish, but also for their health benefits and natural sweetness.
To bring out the best in carrots, I recommend roasting them.
This will help to caramelize the sugars in the carrots and bring out a deeper flavor.
There are many ways to incorporate carrots into a dish.
One way is to mix them into the pasta sauce.
This way, you get a balance of sweetness and creaminess in each bite.
Another option is to use carrots as a topping.
This is a great way to add some extra color and crunch to your dish.
When pairing carrots with vodka sauce, I like to add other ingredients that will complement the sweetness of the carrots.
This can include things like onions, garlic, and even a touch of honey.
For a complete meal, I like to serve this dish with some type of bread and a side salad.
4. Mushrooms
Earthy, flavorful mushrooms are a natural pairing for vodka sauce.
To prepare them, simply give them a quick rinse and slice them thinly.
You can then add them to the sauce near the end of the cooking process, or use them as a topping for pasta or pizza.
Other complementary ingredients include onions, garlic, and black pepper.
For a complete meal, serve with a side of crusty bread and a green salad.
5. Zucchini
These green and yellow vegetables are part of the squash family and have a mild flavor.
Zucchini can be eaten raw, but is often cooked.
It is a good idea to add zucchini to vodka sauce because it soaks up the flavors of the sauce well.
Zucchini is a versatile vegetable and can be paired with other ingredients like onions, tomatoes, garlic, and even pasta.
Some people like to add a little bit of cheese on top.
Zucchini is a low calorie food, so it is a good option if you are looking to cut down on calories.
As a side dish, you could try pairing zucchini with a salad or some roasted potatoes.
6. Bell Peppers
You can choose whatever color of bell pepper you like, but I prefer the sweetness of red ones in this dish.
Cut the pepper into thin strips and sauté them in a little olive oil until they soften.
Then, add them to your vodka sauce.
I also like to add some crushed red pepper flakes and a little bit of Parmesan cheese to this dish.
Serve it over some cooked pasta and enjoy!
7. Eggplant
Eggplant have a texture that can really stand up to a hearty vodka sauce.
They also soak up flavors really well, so you’ll get a nice depth of flavor in every bite.
To prepare eggplant, I like to slice it into rounds or slabs and then roast it in the oven.
This helps to concentrate the flavor and make it more robust.
There are a few different ways you can add eggplant to a dish.
One is to simply top your pasta with some roasted eggplant slices. Another is to mix the eggplant into the sauce itself.
I like to do a combination of both, so you get some bites with a nice chunk of eggplant and others with a more smooth sauce.
Other ingredients you could add to this combination include mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash.
All of these vegetables have a nice subtle flavor that won’t compete with the eggplant or the sauce.
Some side dish ideas include a simple green salad or some garlic bread.
8. Spinach
This healthy powerhouse of a vegetable goes great with vodka sauce.
Just blanch it quickly in some boiling water, then add it to your sauce.
You can also sauté it with some garlic and olive oil.
Other complementary ingredients include mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions.
For a complete meal, serve this over some pasta with a side of bread.
9. Tomatoes
Known for their use in sandwiches and salads, tomatoes are a versatile fruit that can be used in a number of dishes.
Tomatoes go well with vodka sauce, and can be added to the sauce to give it a richer flavor.
Other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and basil, can also be added to the sauce to give it more flavor.
Tomatoes can also be used as a side dish, and can be served with a variety of other vegetables.
10. Potatoes
Potatoes have a subtly sweet mild taste that goes great with the savory and slightly acidic flavor of vodka sauce.
They can be boiled, roasted, or mashed to accompany this sauce.
Some common ways to add potatoes to a dish are by including them in a pasta dish, using them as a pizza topping, or adding them to a frittata.
Other ingredients you can add to this combination are sausage, chicken, or spinach.
Some side dish ideas are garlic bread, a green salad, or roasted vegetables.
11. Green Beans
Here’s another colorful option to add to your vodka sauce: green beans!
You can either blanch them quickly or roast them in the oven until they’re slightly browned and tender.
I like to add a little lemon zest and garlic to really brighten up the flavors.
You could also add some red pepper flakes if you want a little bit of heat.
Serve this over some hearty pasta like penne or rigatoni, and you’ve got a delicious and easy meal.
12. Peas
Peas are often overlooked as a side dish, but they can be a great addition to vodka sauce.
They can be boiled, steamed, or added fresh to the sauce.
Peas add a sweetness and a pop of color to the dish.
Other vegetables that go well with vodka sauce are carrots, celery, and onions.
13. Corn
These yellow little gems go so well in vodka sauce, and they’re so easy to prepare.
Just boil or steam them until they’re tender and then add them to your sauce.
You can also add them to other dishes like pasta, rice, or salads.
To really make this combination pop, try adding some other ingredients like mushrooms, tomatoes, or green peppers.
And for a complete meal, serve it with some garlic bread and a side salad.
14. Squash
There are many different types of squash, but my personal favorite to pair with vodka sauce is acorn or butternut.
They can both be roasted, which brings out a natural sweetness, or sautéed, which keeps things a little lighter.
I like to add some garlic and onion to really bring out the flavors, and sometimes a little bit of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat.
Other great additions to this dish are mushrooms, spinach, and chicken.
For a side, I would recommend something starchy like pasta, rice, or quinoa.
15. Asparagus
The last veg on this list is asparagus.
I love asparagus, and I think it goes really well with vodka sauce.
There are a few ways you can prepare asparagus, but my favorite is to roast it.
You can also grill it, or even pickle it.
As for adding it to a dish, I think asparagus goes really well with pasta, chicken, and fish.
You could also add some other veggies to this combination, like mushrooms or tomatoes.
For a side dish, I think asparagus goes really well with potatoes or bread.
What Vegetables Go with Vodka Sauce? (15 Veggies)
Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Bell Peppers
- Eggplant
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Corn
- Squash
- Asparagus
Instructions
- Pick your favorite veggies from this list to serve with your vodka sauce.
- Prepare the rest of your delicious meal.
- Enjoy in no time!