Penne with Vodka Sauce and Mini Meatballs

Penne with vodka sauce and mini meatballs is a comforting dish that combines creamy pasta with savory meat in one delicious meal. You can easily prepare this dish with common kitchen tools like a pot, pan, and mixing bowl. The balance of protein from meatballs and carbohydrates from pasta makes this a satisfying dinner option.

This recipe features tender mini meatballs nestled among penne pasta, all coated in a rich vodka sauce. The creamy tomato-based sauce gets a special flavor from a splash of vodka (don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off). You’ll love how the juicy meatballs complement the silky sauce and al dente pasta.

Cooking Times

Preparation time: 15 minutes 

Cooking time: 20 minutes 

Total time: 35 minutes

Serving Size

  • This recipe serves 4 people.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 8 ounces ground beef chuck
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 1/2 pounds beefsteak tomatoes (or canned tomatoes)
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1/4 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Mix ground beef, 1/4 cup Parmesan, breadcrumbs, an egg, and half the basil in a bowl.
  2. Form into small, 1-inch meatballs.
  3. Brown meatballs in olive oil for 5–7 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  5. In a separate pan, blend tomatoes, vodka, and the remaining basil to make a sauce.
  6. Simmer sauce for 10 minutes, then add cream.
  7. Combine pasta, meatballs, and sauce. Top with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Info

Each serving (1 ½ cups or approximately 300g) provides about:

Iron: 3 mg

Calories: 550 kcal

Protein: 28 g

Total Fat: 22 g

Saturated Fat: 9 g

Carbohydrates: 60 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 8 g

Sodium: 700 mg

Calcium: 250 mg