Homemade Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe: A Zesty Pasta Delight

Sizzling aromas waft through kitchens when these zesty Italian drunken noodles hit the pan, promising a culinary adventure that tantalizes every sense.

Robust sausage and vibrant peppers dance together in a spicy, wine-infused symphony of flavors.

Bold ingredients merge into a dish that speaks directly to comfort and excitement on a plate.

Tender noodles absorb the rich, hearty sauce with remarkable depth and character.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of heat, herbs, and robust Italian-inspired seasonings.

This recipe breaks through ordinary weeknight meal monotony with its exceptional blend of textures and tastes.

Let’s find out a plate that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What to Buy for Italian Drunken Noodles

• Hot Italian Sausage: Brings spicy, meaty depth and richness to the dish, choose fresh links with robust seasoning.
• Garlic: Adds intense aromatic punch, select firm cloves without sprouts for maximum flavor intensity.

• Pappardelle or Egg Noodles: Wide, silky noodles that capture sauce beautifully, opt for fresh or high-quality dried pasta.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth base for cooking, select extra virgin for best taste and healthiest option.
• White Wine: Adds subtle complexity and helps deglaze pan, choose a crisp Chardonnay or dry white variety.

• Onion: Creates sweet foundational flavor, pick firm bulbs with no soft spots.
• Red, Yellow, Orange Bell Peppers: Adds vibrant color and sweet crunch, choose peppers with smooth, glossy skin.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides juicy, tangy base for sauce, select high-quality canned tomatoes without added preservatives.
• Parsley, Basil: Fresh herbs that brighten entire dish, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, use kosher or sea salt for best results.
• Italian Seasoning Blend: Delivers classic Mediterranean herb combination.
• Cracked Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity.

Kitchen Tool for Italian Drunken Noodles Done Right

• Large Pot: Perfect for cooking pappardelle noodles to al dente perfection.
• Colander: Essential for draining pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: Ideal for browning sausage and creating the flavorful sauce.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Sharp Knife: Necessary for chopping onions, bell peppers, and herbs.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing vegetables and herbs.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season the dish with salt, Italian seasoning, and pepper.
• Tongs: Useful for tossing noodles with sauce and serving.

Making Italian Drunken Noodles Made Simple

• Pasta Preparation Boil pappardelle noodles in salted water until perfectly al dente, then set aside while preparing the rich sauce.
• Sausage Sizzle Brown spicy Italian sausage in a hot skillet, creating delicious caramelized edges that will infuse incredible flavor into the dish.
• Veggie Symphony Sauté sweet onions until golden, then introduce colorful bell peppers and aromatic garlic, building layers of depth and complexity.
• Wine Magic Splash white wine into the pan, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom, then add juicy tomatoes and cooked sausage to create a vibrant sauce.
• Herb Finale Stir in fresh parsley and fragrant basil, letting the herbs dance through the sauce and release their bright, summery essence.
• Noodle Fusion Gently toss the perfectly cooked pappardelle with the luscious sauce, ensuring every strand is generously coated with the rich, flavorful mixture.
• Elegant Presentation Plate the noodles, crown with additional fresh basil leaves, sprinkle with sharp Parmesan cheese, and finish with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Flavor Tips and Variations for Italian Drunken Noodles

• Replace Italian sausage with spicy chorizo or chicken sausage for a different flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting and personalized.
• Choose a crisp pinot grigio or dry chardonnay for deglazing, which enhances the sauce's depth and brings bright, complex undertones to the meal.
• Toss in additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach during the pepper cooking stage to increase nutritional value and add extra texture and color.
• Adjust heat by selecting mild or hot Italian sausage, or add red pepper flakes for those who love a spicier kick without overwhelming the dish's original flavors.
• Prepare the sauce a day in advance and reheat gently before combining with fresh noodles, allowing flavors to develop and meld beautifully overnight for even more delicious results.

Serving Suggestions to Enjoy Italian Drunken Noodles

• Rustic Family Feast: Gather around the table and share this hearty dish with loved ones, creating memories over steaming plates of delicious noodles.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich flavors with a glass of medium-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, enhancing the meal's authentic taste.
• Fresh Side Companions: Serve alongside a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or crusty garlic bread to soak up the savory sauce, adding brightness and texture to the meal.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining noodles into a delightful next-day lunch by reheating and topping with extra fresh basil and grated Parmesan for a quick, satisfying meal.

Best Way to Store Italian Drunken Noodles Leftovers

• Smart Refrigeration Strategies: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavor and texture.
• Freezing Magic: Freeze individual portions in sealed freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before gently reheating to prevent sauce separation.
• Reheating Brilliance: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of white wine or broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency.
• Ingredient Freshness Tips: Keep fresh basil and parsley in the refrigerator wrapped in slightly damp paper towels. Store unused sausage and vegetables in sealed containers to maximize quality and prevent cross-contamination.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 5

Spicy Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Drunken Noodles promise bold flavors from sausage, herbs, and wine-soaked pasta. Spicy, savory ingredients blend perfectly for a quick meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 4 hot Italian sausage links (casings removed)
• 8 oz (226 g) uncooked pappardelle or egg noodles
• 1 28 oz (794 g) can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced thin
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ¼ cup white wine (e.g., Chardonnay)
• ¼ cup julienned fresh basil
• 2 tbsps chopped parsley
• 1 ¼ tsps salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend
• ¼ tsp cracked black pepper

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Instructions

1. Noodle Preparation: Cook pappardelle al dente according to package instructions, drain while reserving a small amount of pasta water, and keep warm.
2. Sausage Browning: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown crumbled Italian sausage until caramelized, then transfer to a separate plate while retaining pan drippings.
3. Vegetable Sautéing: Introduce diced onions to the skillet, sautéing until translucent and golden-edged. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add sliced bell peppers and minced garlic, stirring continuously to develop complex flavors.
4. Sauce Development: Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Pour in san marzano tomatoes and return cooked sausage to the skillet. Simmer for 10-12 minutes until sauce thickens, incorporating freshly chopped parsley and half the torn basil leaves.
5. Final Assembly: Fold warm pappardelle into the sauce, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed. Plate and garnish with remaining basil, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Notes

• Choose Quality Sausage: Select fresh, high-fat Italian sausage for maximum flavor and authentic taste.
• Wine Selection Matters: Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance sauce depth and complexity.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pappardelle just until al dente to maintain a firm, silky texture that absorbs sauce beautifully.
• Herb Freshness Counts: Use fresh basil and parsley leaves right before serving to maximize aromatic intensity and bright flavors.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg