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.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 6
Calories: 359kcal
- 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
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.
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