Italian Drunken Noodles is a delicious fusion dish—think of it as an Italian spin on Thai drunken noodles. It features wide noodles tossed with Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs, all simmered in white wine for that “drunken” flavor.
🇮🇹 Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe
Serves: 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 12 oz wide egg noodles (or pappardelle/fettuccine)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or hot), casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow or orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
1. Cook the Noodles:
- Boil noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Brown the Sausage:
- In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add Italian sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Sauté the Veggies:
- In the same pan, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Deglaze with Wine:
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
5. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings:
- Stir in crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning.
- Return the sausage to the pan and simmer for 5–10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Combine and Serve:
- Toss in the cooked noodles and stir to coat. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Variations:
- Use ground turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
- Add zucchini or mushrooms for more veggie power.
- Prefer no alcohol? Sub wine with chicken broth + a splash of white wine vinegar.
Want a spicier version or a low-carb option using zucchini noodles? Just let me know!