Penna Alla Vodka with Ground Beef
Tender pasta is cooked in a simple homemade vodka sauce with crumbled ground beef. It's a delicious, indulgent one pot meal. This dish reminds me of the hamburger helper I loved as a kid, but with a much improved almost gourmet finish. It makes a a great main meal for weekday dinner times, and is also a great option for serving to guests.
Servings: 6
Calories: 359kcal
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large white onion diced
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups cooked penne pasta
- shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions to the pot, and saute until soft. Add the beef to the hot oil. Season with salt & pepper, to taste.
- Cook the beef, stirring and crumbling as it cooks, until it's completely browned- no pink remaining. Strain the meat, removing all excess grease, and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the tomatoes, vodka, and chili flakes until evenly incorporated. Turn the heat to high, and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir the sauce until it's reduced by half, and slightly thickened.
- Whisk in the cream until the sauce is smooth & it's evenly combined. Remove the pot from heat.
- Stir the cooked pasta into the pot and toss it in the sauce until the sauce has thickened slightly and begins to stick to the pasta.
- Sprinkle the still hot pasta dish with the shredded Parmesan cheese, and allow it to melt slightly. Ladle the pasta onto plates and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 316IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 3mg