Pasta with a Vodka Sauce

This pasta sauce is easy to make, very thick and filling. Using whole wheat pasta gives it quite a bit more flavour.

Servings: 4 adults

Ingredients:

3 largecarrots
3 stalkscelery
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'cup')">cup</a>chopped peppers
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'cup')">cup</a>diced broccoli
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'tablespoon')">tablespoon</a>diced garlic
1 diced onion
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'tablespoon')">tablespoon</a>fresh basil
0.5 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(0.50000, 'pound')">pound</a>ground beef
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'cup')">cup</a>milk
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'teaspoon')">teaspoon</a>oil
4 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(4.00000, 'tablespoon')">tablespoon</a>parmesean cheese
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, 'cup')">cup</a>tomato basil pasta sauce
1 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(1.00000, '10 oz. can')">10 oz. can</a>tomato paste
0.5 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(0.50000, 'cup')">cup</a>vodka
375 <a href="javascript:openCalcWindow(375.00000, 'gram')">gram</a>whole wheat pasta
1 mediumzucchini

Directions:

Step 1
Cook the ground beef in a frying pan until brown with the onion and garlic. Set it aside.
Step 2
Boil water in a pot for the pasta. Add the pasta to the pot when the water is boiling. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes while you make the sauce.
Step 3
Cut the carrots and celery into slices. Cook them in a sauce pan on the stove with the oil. When the carrots are getting soft, add the other veggies (chopped zucchini/eggplant/peppers/broccoli). Cook until veggies are soft, about 10 mins. If the eggplant/zucchini are diced very finely, they will start to disintegrate when the sauce is added and make it extra flavorful.
Step 4
Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, milk, vodka, and ground beef. Let sit until the sauce is bubbling. Optionally add a half cup of grated parmesan at this step. You can also optionally mix in the pasta (when it's about 90% cooked) and let it finish cooking in the tomato sauce.
Step 5
Serve the pasta with the sauce poured ontop and sprinkle each place with about a tablespoon of parmesean cheese.
 
Recipe provided via www.MeanMeals.com