Italian Drunken Noodles (also called Italian Drunk Noodles) are a bold, rustic pasta dish made with sausage, sweet bell peppers, garlic, herbs, and a splash of white wine — the “drunken” part 🍷
Here’s a flavorful, restaurant-style version:
🇮🇹 Italian Drunken Noodles
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles (or pappardelle / fettuccine)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casing removed
- 3 bell peppers (mixed colors), sliced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio works well)
- 1 (14–15 oz) can diced tomatoes (drained slightly)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Fresh Parmesan for serving
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Boil noodles in salted water until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2️⃣ Brown the Sausage
In a large skillet over medium heat:
- Add olive oil.
- Cook sausage, breaking it apart, until browned (6–8 minutes).
- Remove excess grease if needed.
3️⃣ Sauté the Veggies
Add to the same pan:
- Onion and bell peppers.
Cook 4–5 minutes until slightly softened.
Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds.
4️⃣ Deglaze with Wine (The “Drunken” Step 🍷)
Pour in white wine.
Simmer 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
Let it reduce slightly.
5️⃣ Add Tomatoes & Seasoning
Stir in:
- Diced tomatoes
- Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper
Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
6️⃣ Combine
Add drained noodles to the skillet.
Toss everything together.
If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Stir in fresh basil.
Serve
Top with freshly grated Parmesan and extra basil.
Flavor Tips
- Use spicy Italian sausage for heat.
- Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for a richer sauce.
- Mushrooms are a great addition.
- For extra depth, add 1 tbsp tomato paste while cooking.
If you’d like, I can also give you:
- A creamy version
- A chicken version
- Or a one-pot version (less cleanup)
