Italian Drunken Noodles

Italian Drunken Noodles is a flavorful, fusion-style pasta dish inspired by Thai drunken noodles but made with Italian ingredients—think wide noodles, sautéed peppers, spicy Italian sausage, and a splash of wine for depth. It’s bold, cozy, and comes together quickly in one pan.

🍝 Italian Drunken Noodles

📋 Ingredients:

• 8 oz pappardelle, fettuccine, or wide egg noodles

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage (casings removed)

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced

• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference)

• ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juices)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped

• Grated Parmesan (for topping)

🍳 Instructions:

1. Cook the Noodles:

   • Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Sausage:

   • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil.

   • Brown sausage, breaking it into crumbles until cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Sauté Veggies:

   • In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil.

   • Sauté bell peppers and onion until soft and slightly charred, about 5–7 minutes.

   • Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 more minute.

4. Deglaze with Wine:

   • Pour in the white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pan.

   • Let it reduce for about 2–3 minutes.

5. Add Tomatoes & Simmer:

   • Add diced tomatoes with juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

   • Return sausage to the skillet.

   • Simmer for 5–10 minutes to marry the flavors.

6. Combine with Pasta:

   • Add cooked noodles into the skillet. Toss well to coat.

   • Cook for another 2 minutes to let flavors meld. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.

7. Finish & Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

   • Serve hot with crusty bread or a simple salad.

🔄 Variations:

• Meatless: Use mushrooms or plant-based sausage.

• Low-carb: Swap noodles for zucchini ribbons or spaghetti squash.

• Wine-free: Substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.