Penne alla Vodka with Ham

Name: Penne alla Vodka with Ham
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 110 g Onion; 12 g Garlic; 40 g Butter; 60 g Vodka; 300 g Tomato puree; 120 g Ham, cooked; 5 g Tabasco sauce; 400 g Penne; 60 g Parmesan cheese; 200 ml Cream; 5 g Salt; 4 L Water

Penne alla Vodka with Ham · ready in 35 min · 4 servings · 620 kcal per serving · easy · 12 ingredients

Silky vodka-infused tomato sauce clings to tender penne, enriched with butter and cream, finished with savory ham and a gentle kick of heat. Topped with melting Parmesan, this dish is comforting, indulgent, and deeply satisfying.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 25 min
Total: 35 min
Serves: 4
kcal: 620
Difficulty: easy

Italian Mediterranean Main dishes Desserts High-protein (25 g+)

A QiMeal recipe · Updated 3 October 2026

Ingredients · 4 servings

110 gOnion
12 gGarlic
40 gButter
60 gVodka
300 gTomato puree
120 gHam, cooked
5 gTabasco sauce
400 gPenne
60 gParmesan cheese
200 mlCream
5 gSalt
4 LWater

Equipment

stovetop, chef knife, colander, cutting board, pot, serving bowl, skillet, tongs, wooden spoon

Instructions

Prep ingredients
Chop the onion and garlic, dice the cooked ham, grate the Parmesan, and set out a skillet, pasta pot, and serving bowl. · 5 min
What to look for: Onions translucent and bubbling
Sauté aromatics
Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add the onion and garlic and stir until softened and fragrant. · 5 min
What to look for: soft and translucent
Reduce vodka
Pour the vodka into the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, until the alcohol smell cooks off. · 4 min
What to look for: steam rises and sharp aroma fades
Build sauce
Stir in the tomato puree and cream, then simmer over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. · 5 min
What to look for: creamy and lightly bubbling
Finish sauce and pasta
Add the ham, Tabasco sauce, and salt to the skillet, then cook the penne in boiling salted water until al dente and drain. · 10 min
When it is done: Ham is hot throughout, at least 74°C internally.
Toss and serve
Add the drained penne to the serving bowl, toss with the sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately. · 2 min
What to look for: pasta evenly coated and glossy

Nutrition (per serving)

kcal	620
Protein	26 g
Carbohydrates	68 g
of which sugars	9 g
Fat	28 g
of which saturated	14 g
Fibre	5 g
Sodium	980 mg

Nutri-ScoreC

Allergens

Contains: gluten, milk

Storage and reheating

Fridge: up to 3 days
Freezer: not recommended

Ingredient substitutions

Onion

shallot: Softer and slightly sweeter flavor.

Garlic

garlic paste: Cook gently to avoid burning.

Butter

olive oil: Use extra virgin for flavor.

Vodka

dry white wine: Simmer longer to reduce alcohol.

Tomato puree

crushed tomatoes: Blend for smoother sauce.

Ham

smoked turkey: Lower fat alternative.