The Ultimate Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe: Spicy & Savory Bliss

Whipping up these mouth-watering italian drunken noodles promises a culinary adventure that will spark excitement in your kitchen.

Fragrant herbs and bold spices dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that leap from the plate.

Bold chefs know this dish carries a reputation for delivering knockout taste sensations.

Pasta lovers appreciate how simple ingredients can combine into something truly spectacular.

Your taste buds will thank you for exploring this vibrant recipe packed with incredible depth.

Weekend cooking becomes a celebration when these noodles hit the pan.

Grab your apron and let the delicious magic begin – your next favorite meal awaits!

Why You’ll Love Italian Drunken Noodles

• Satisfy Cravings Quickly: Perfect for busy home cooks wanting a delicious meal without complicated steps.
• Master Flavor Fusion: Combines spicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and aromatic herbs for a restaurant-quality dish at home.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows swapping ingredients or adjusting spice levels to match personal taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers a hearty, satisfying meal that appeals to both adults and kids, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Italian Drunken Noodles Ingredient Lineup

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful protein that adds rich, savory depth to the pasta dish.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Aromatic vegetables that provide sweetness and texture to the recipe.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Pasta: The hearty base that serves as the main carbohydrate of the meal.
• White Wine: A deglazing liquid that helps release and incorporate delicious browned bits from the pan.
• Pasta Water: A starchy liquid that can help adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

• Red Pepper Flakes: A spicy element that adds a subtle heat to the dish.
• Fresh Basil, Parsley: Vibrant herbs that provide fresh, aromatic notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall flavor.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients and add richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: A salty, aged cheese that provides a final savory garnish.

How To Cook Italian Drunken Noodles

Step 1: Boil Water and Prepare Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water.

Step 2: Prepare Sausage and Aromatics

• Onions (diced)
• Bell peppers (diced)
• Garlic cloves (minced)

Step 3: Sauté Sausage

Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Add crumbled sausage, breaking into smaller pieces and cooking until golden brown and crispy, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 4: Cook Vegetables

• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes

Step 5: Deglaze and Combine

Pour white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add cooked pasta to the sausage and vegetable mixture, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.

Step 6: Finish and Garnish

• Fresh basil (torn)
• Chopped parsley

Season with salt and black pepper. Top generously with grated parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy!

Best Tips For Italian Drunken Noodles

• Select High-Quality Sausage: Choose fresh Italian sausage with robust flavor, preferably from a local butcher for optimal taste and texture.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Reserve pasta water before draining to help create a silky sauce and prevent noodles from clumping together.
• Balance Vegetable Sizes: Cut onions, peppers, and garlic into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
• Elevate Flavor Depth: Deglaze the skillet with white wine to capture caramelized bits and add complexity to the overall dish's taste profile.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference, allowing customization for different spice tolerances.

Easy Twists On Italian Drunken Noodles

• Spicy Chorizo Swap: Replace Italian sausage with Mexican chorizo for a bolder, spicier flavor profile that adds extra heat and depth to the pasta dish.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Substitute sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted chickpeas, maintaining the protein content while creating a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all ingredients like sausage and seasonings are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and swap white wine with a splash of lemon juice to create a Greek-inspired pasta variation.

What Goes Well With Italian Drunken Noodles

• Harmonize Sausage Pasta with Perfect Pairings
• Wine Companion: Choose a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which complements the rich sausage and cuts through its fatty profile with balanced acidity.
• Crisp Salad Sidekick: Prepare a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, offering fresh, peppery contrast to the hearty pasta and balancing the dish's robust flavors.
• Rustic Bread Buddy: Serve warm, crusty ciabatta or focaccia with olive oil and herbs, perfect for soaking up the savory pan juices and adding textural variety to the meal.

Storing Italian Drunken Noodles The Easy Way

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Pack cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and store for up to 2 months.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to restore moisture, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or olive oil to prevent sticking and restore original texture. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning.

Italian Drunken Noodles Q&A

• What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have Italian sausage?

You can replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives. Choose options with similar seasoning profiles to maintain the dish’s flavor.

• How spicy will this pasta be with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat level. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount or omit them completely. For more heat, increase the quantity according to your taste preference.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta. Ensure all other ingredients like sausage and seasonings are also gluten-free certified.

Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Italian drunken noodles dance with bold flavors, combining sausage, peppers, and herbs in a spirited culinary performance. Fragrant and fearless, this dish promises a mouthwatering journey through Italian-inspired comfort that satisfies deep hunger and adventurous spirits.

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Ingredients

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Pasta

• 1 lb pasta (pappardelle or wide egg noodles)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Meat and Aromatics

• 1 lb spicy Italian sausage
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 large onion
• 2 bell peppers (mix of red and yellow)

Herbs and Seasonings

• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for cooking the pasta.
2. While water heats, remove Italian sausage from casing and crumble the meat into rough chunks, preparing for sautéing.
3. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing the oil to shimmer but not smoke.
4. Introduce crumbled sausage to the skillet, breaking it into smaller pieces and cooking until golden brown and crispy, approximately 6-7 minutes.
5. Dice onions and bell peppers into uniform bite-sized pieces, then mince garlic cloves finely.
6. Push sausage to one side of the skillet, creating space to sauté onions and peppers until they become slightly caramelized and tender.
7. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors.
8. Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing it to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.
9. Drop pasta into boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
10. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
11. Combine cooked pasta with sausage and vegetable mixture, gently tossing to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
12. Tear fresh basil and chop parsley, sprinkling over the dish for vibrant herbaceous notes.
13. Season with salt and black pepper, then generously shower with grated parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Notes

• Swap Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu or vegetarian sausage for a vegan version that maintains robust flavor profiles.
• Control spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes; start with a small pinch and gradually increase for personalized heat intensity.
• Reserve pasta water strategically to create silky sauce consistency, helping ingredients cling perfectly to noodles without becoming dry.
• Choose firm vegetables like bell peppers that maintain texture during cooking, preventing mushy results and preserving appetizing crunch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg