Margaret Qualley Says She Loves This Friday Dinner

• Actor Margaret Qualley shares her comfort meal: penne alla vodka and mint chocolate chip ice cream.
• Vodka sauce is creamy, nutrient-rich and often lower in added sugar than marinara.
• Pairing vodka sauce with whole-wheat pasta and a side salad makes for a balanced, comforting dinner.

Whether you know her from Maid, Happy Gilmore 2 or The Substance, it goes without saying that Margaret Qualley is one of the most prominent actors of recent years. On her recent press tour with Aubrey Plaza for Honey Don’t!, the star shared some of her favorite foods while whipping up pizza for the New York Times cooking section.

In the video, Qualley topped a homemade pizza with fresh mozzarella, grated Parmesan and olives while sharing behind-the-scenes tidbits about her new movie. And in between, vodka sauce naturally came up in discussion, which led to Qualley sharing a comfort meal that she loves.

“I like penne alla vodka,” she says. “I used to have that every Friday night. Penne alla vodka and Breyer’s mint chocolate chip ice cream.”

First, I’m actually drooling at the thought of penne alla vodka right now, so let me contain myself real quick. But vodka sauce is truly an underrated warrior, as it’s creamy, flavorful and sometimes even more nutritious than other sauces. Because it contains cream, many homemade and jarred vodka sauces have zero added sugar—the same cannot be said for marinara.

With the main ingredient being tomatoes, this sauce is loaded with nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium, which are great for skin and eye health. Pair the sauce with whole-wheat pasta and a side salad, and you’ve got yourself a healthy weeknight dinner that’s ultra-comforting. We think Qualley would love our Creamy Penne alla Vodka with Chicken & Spinach.

And hey, what’s not to love about mint chocolate chip ice cream? At EatingWell, we are firm believers that any food (yes, even ice cream) can be included in a healthy eating pattern. Moderation is key, and the only side effect of enjoying your favorite ice cream once a week is true happiness. 

For more vodka sauce inspiration and a protein-packed meal, try our Chicken Parmesan alla Vodka or our vegetarian Chickpeas alla Vodka.