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Italian Drunken Noodles

Craving something that brings bold Italian flavors with a touch of worldly inspiration? Meet Italian drunken noodles—a delicious twist on the classic Thai dish!

This quick and easy pasta dinner combines chewy pappardelle, savory Italian sausage, and a medley of vibrant veggies in a rich, tomato-based sauce. It’s vibrant, a little spicy, and cozy, indulgent in all the right ways.

And the best part? Your kitchen will smell like a gourmet restaurant while it’s cooking, making it even more tempting!

Why You’ll Love These Italian Drunken Noodles

Packed with Flavor: Enjoy the savory sausage, tender peppers, and rich tomato sauce, which is elevated with just a hint of white wine.

Easy to Make: With simple steps and made in one skillet, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights.

Restaurant-Quality: Impress your dinner guests or enjoy a special date night with this easy yet fancy-feeling dish.

Customizable: Adjust the spiciness with red pepper flakes, or add extra veggies, or even swap the sausage for chicken or ground beef.

Ingredients

Pappardelle Pasta: Wide, ribbon-like pasta that perfectly holds the sauce. Fettuccine can also be a great substitute.
Italian Sausage: Choose either mild or spicy based on your preference. Just remember to remove the casings if you go for links.
Veggies: Use a colorful mix of onions, garlic, and bell peppers for a delicious crunch and aroma.
Herbs & Spices: A simple blend of Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper for the kick!
Dry White Wine: It adds acidity and depth to your sauce, introducing the “drunken” element.
Canned Diced Tomatoes: The base of the sauce; for added richness, choose fire-roasted tomatoes.
Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkling on top adds nutty richness and enhances the overall flavor.
Fresh Basil Leaves: A fragrant garnish that captures that classic Italian essence.

How to Make Italian Drunken Noodles

This dish strikes the perfect balance between rustic charm and refined elegance, whether for a cozy dinner or a special occasion.

Pair it with a lovely glass of wine, and you’ve created an irresistible meal ready in under an hour!

Instructions

Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces until browned. Once cooked, remove it to a plate and set aside.
Sauté the onions in the same skillet for about 5 minutes until they soften. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, cooking for about a minute until fragrant.
Add in the bell peppers, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until tender. Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet to lift any flavorful bits. Let it simmer until reduced by half, approximately 5 minutes.
Stir in the canned diced tomatoes and return the cooked sausage back to the skillet. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally and adjust seasoning as desired.
Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook as instructed on the package until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Gradually mix in the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sprinkle with torn basil leaves. Serve it up piping hot and savor every bite!

Close-up of chewy pappardelle pasta with Italian sausage, bell peppers, and fresh herbs.

Tips For the Best Italian Drunken Noodles

While drunken noodles are a favorite Asian dish, this Italian twist is equally delightful!

For best results, consider these handy tips:

Try other pasta: If you’re not a fan of pappardelle, tagliatelle, linguine, or rigatoni are splendid alternatives that nicely hold sauces.
Use a dry wine: A crisp white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc enhances the dish without overwhelming it. If you prefer to skip the wine, chicken stock is an excellent substitute.
Upgrade the tomatoes: For added smoky flavor, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
Season as you go: Lightly season each component (vegetables, sausage, and sauce) while cooking to extract the maximum flavor.
Adjust the spice level: Modify the amount of red pepper flakes to fit your heat preference. You can even omit them for a milder version.
Grate the cheese: Freshly grated cheese always packs better flavor. So, ditch the pre-grated stuff!
Make it your own! Feel free to swap sausage with ground turkey or chicken. For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage completely and add mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.

Italian drunken noodles with sausage, vegetables, and garnished with basil in a skillet.

How to Store

Leftover Italian drunken noodles actually taste even better the next day!

To Store: Allow the leftovers to cool, then transfer them into an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days.

To Reheat: Reheat in a covered skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of wine or chicken broth to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until heated through.

Note: It’s not ideal to freeze leftovers as the pasta may become mushy after thawing.