Italian drunken noodles

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Italian Drunken Noodles

Italian Drunken Noodles is a hearty pasta dish featuring tender noodles tossed with Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a rich wine-infused sauce. It’s full of bold, comforting flavors and comes together in one skillet for an easy dinner.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pappardelle or wide egg noodles
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or spicy
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14–15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup dry red wine
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions until just tender. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the noodles.
  2. Brown the sausage: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the sausage from its casing if necessary, add it to the skillet, and cook until browned and fully cooked. Break it into bite-sized pieces as it cooks.
  3. Cook the vegetables: Add the sliced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and begin to caramelize.
  4. Add the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  5. Make the sauce: Add the diced tomatoes, red wine, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  6. Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for approximately 8–10 minutes, giving the wine and tomato flavors time to blend and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  7. Add the noodles: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet and gently toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, add a small splash of the reserved pasta water.
  8. Finish the dish: Stir in the fresh basil and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese.
  9. Serve: Divide the noodles among serving bowls and garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil.

Helpful Tips

Use a wide skillet so the vegetables have enough room to cook evenly. For a richer flavor, allow the onions and peppers to become lightly golden before adding the tomatoes.

Serving Ideas

Serve these Italian drunken noodles with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables. Extra Parmesan and fresh basil make a delicious finishing touch.

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