Easy Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe: A Spirited Pasta Adventure

Whipping up these delectable italian drunken noodles promises a culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Pasta lovers always seek bold flavors that surprise and delight.

My kitchen experiments revealed this incredible dish combines spicy sausage with silky noodles in ways you’ll absolutely adore.

Fragrant herbs and vibrant vegetables create a symphony of textures and aromas that sing with each bite.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick cooking techniques mean you can enjoy this restaurant-quality plate in under thirty minutes.

Trust me, this recipe will become your new go-to comfort meal that impresses everyone at the table.

Italian Drunken Noodles with Bold, Spicy Kick

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: Dive into a symphony of tastes with sausage, wine, and fresh herbs that transform ordinary noodles into a gourmet experience.
• Master the One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking process by preparing this entire dish in a single pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing deliciousness.
• Impress without Stress: Create a restaurant-quality meal at home that looks sophisticated but requires minimal culinary skills, perfect for home cooks of all levels.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to match your personal taste, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for different preferences.

Ingredients Needed to Make Italian Drunken Noodles

• Wide Noodles: A classic Italian pasta that provides a hearty and satisfying foundation for this flavorful dish.

• Italian Sausage: A spicy and rich meat that adds deep flavor and texture to the recipe.

• Onions, Bell Peppers, Garlic: These vegetables create a robust and colorful base that enhances the overall taste of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Herbs, Parsley, Basil: These ingredients add layers of fresh and aromatic flavors that complement the sausage and pasta.

• Olive Oil, Wine, Tomatoes: These ingredients create a rich, complex sauce that brings moisture and depth to the Italian Drunken Noodles.

• Parmesan Cheese: A classic Italian cheese that adds a salty and creamy finishing touch to the dish.

How to Prepare Italian Drunken Noodles Dish

Step 1: Boil Wide Noodles

Cook the wide noodles according to package instructions. Drain the noodles and set them aside, keeping them covered to maintain warmth.

Step 2: Brown Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pan. Crumble sausage into the pan and cook until it browns nicely.

Remove the browned sausage and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

Use the remaining sausage drippings in the pan.

Add onions and cook until they turn golden. Season with salt, herbs, and black pepper.

Step 4: Introduce Peppers and Wine

Add bell peppers to the pan and cook until slightly softened. Incorporate minced garlic, then pour in wine.

Allow the wine to reduce and nearly evaporate.

Step 5: Create Sauce Base

Pour in crushed tomatoes with their juice.

Return the browned sausage to the pan. Simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6: Enhance Flavor Profile

Drizzle additional olive oil into the sauce. Mix in fresh chopped parsley and half of the basil leaves.

Step 7: Combine Noodles and Sauce

Add the cooked noodles to the sauce. Toss gently to ensure every noodle is thoroughly coated with the rich sauce.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Plate the noodles and top with remaining basil leaves. Optionally sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and a final drizzle of olive oil.

Tips to Nail Italian Drunken Noodles Flavor

• Opt for wide, sturdy noodles that can handle hearty sauces without falling apart during mixing.
• Select spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick of flavor, but mild works perfectly for sensitive palates.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if needed.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced texture in every delightful bite.
• Fresh herbs make a significant difference, so grab vibrant basil and parsley from the market for maximum taste impact.

Variations to Switch Up Italian Drunken Noodles

• Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace pork sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a hearty vegetarian version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Noodle Option: Substitute traditional wheat noodles with rice noodles or zucchini spirals to create a gluten-free friendly meal that stays true to the original recipe's spirit.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Incorporate red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to elevate heat levels, transforming the dish into a fiery Mediterranean-inspired feast for spice lovers.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Use spaghetti squash or cauliflower noodles instead of traditional pasta, reducing carbohydrate content while maintaining the robust sauce and sausage components.

Pairing Ideas for Italian Drunken Noodles

• Match this rich, saucy dish with a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti Classico, which complements the spicy sausage and cuts through the tomato's acidity with its balanced tannins.
• Sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano over the noodles, adding a salty, nutty dimension that elevates the entire dish's complexity and texture.
• Prepare a crispy garlic bread using fresh parsley and basil, mirroring the herbs in the recipe and providing a crunchy contrast to the soft, saucy noodles.

Storage Suggestions for Italian Drunken Noodles

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled noodles to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Avoid freezing noodles with fresh basil as it loses texture.
• Microwave Reheating: Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Stovetop Reheating: Pour noodles into a skillet. Add splash of water or extra olive oil. Warm over medium heat, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Heat until steaming hot, about 4-5 minutes.

FAQs

• What type of noodles work best for this recipe?

Wide, flat noodles like pappardelle or tagliatelle are perfect. They capture the rich sauce beautifully and provide a satisfying texture that complements the sausage and vegetables.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of sausage?

Absolutely! Ground beef or chicken can be great substitutes. Just ensure you season them well to match the original recipe’s flavor profile.

• Is the wine essential to the recipe?

The wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce, but if you prefer, you can replace it with chicken broth or pasta water. The key is maintaining moisture and flavor in the dish.

Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling italian drunken noodles blend spicy sausage and aromatic herbs for a mouthwatering pasta experience. Hearty flavors dance together, creating a robust meal you’ll savor with passion.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) wide noodles (pappardelle)
• 4 Italian sausages (casings removed)
• 1 large onion (quartered)
• 3 bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange, sliced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 28 oz (794 g) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup white wine (chardonnay)
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 handful fresh basil leaves (sliced)
• 1 tsp Italian herb mix
• 1 pinch and a half salt
• 1 crack or two black pepper
• 1 glug or two olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare wide noodles according to package instructions at 8-10 minutes. Drain and keep warm, covering with a lid to prevent drying.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat around 375°F. Crumble sausage into the pan, browning for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
3. Utilize the rendered sausage fat in the skillet. Sauté chopped onions until translucent, seasoning with salt, dried oregano, and black pepper for 3-4 minutes.
4. Introduce sliced bell peppers to the pan, cooking until slightly softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then deglaze with white wine, allowing liquid to reduce by two-thirds.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes with their juices. Return browned sausage to the skillet, simmering the mixture for 10-12 minutes to meld flavors and create a rich sauce.
6. Drizzle additional olive oil into the sauce. Stir in chopped fresh parsley and half of the torn basil leaves, enhancing the aromatic profile.
7. Incorporate cooked noodles directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating and even distribution of ingredients.
8. Plate the dish, garnishing with remaining fresh basil, optional grated parmesan cheese, and a final light drizzle of olive oil for added richness.

Notes

• Choose thick, wide noodles like pappardelle or fettuccine for authentic texture and sauce-holding ability.
• Opt for spicy Italian sausage to add a robust flavor kick that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
• Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to deglaze the pan and create a rich, aromatic base.
• Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled mushrooms or Beyond Meat for a vegetarian-friendly version.
• Use fresh basil and parsley right before serving to maintain their vibrant color and intense aromatic profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 417 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 521 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 43 mg