Our Italian Drunken Noodles recipe is a delicious spin on your typical pasta dishes, blending the heartiness of Italian sausage with the bold flavors of peppers, garlic, and a rich white wine and tomato sauce. This dish stands out with its incorporation of white wine, adding a unique depth and slight acidity that complements the savory components.
Italian Drunken Noodles
Drunken Noodles, despite their name, are not your typical noodle dish. They bring together the savory taste of Italian sausage with the sweetness of multi-colored bell peppers and the robustness of garlic and onions.
The aromatic presence of Italian seasoning, the heat of red pepper flakes, and the tang of white wine make things even tastier. The San Marzano tomatoes, a staple in Italian cooking, offer a velvety base to this sauce, while the chicken broth gives it a rich, full-bodied flavor. Finish with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for a perfect plate of pasta!
Why you’ll love this dish…
- Flavorful Fusion: Italian sausage and peppers are a perfect combination!
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and common ingredients make this a breeze.
- Versatile: Perfect for a family dinner or impressing guests at a gathering.
- Comforting: Rich and hearty, it’s the ideal comfort food.
- Customizable: Easily adapt with different types of pasta or sausages.
More Pasta Recipes to enjoy!
Italian Drunken Noodles shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Italian sausage links
- Olive oil
- Multi-colored bell peppers
- Small onion
- Garlic
- Dried Italian seasoning blend
- Salt
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- San Marzano tomatoes
- White wine
- Chicken broth
- Pasta
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
Use my Air Fryer Italian Sausage!
How to make Italian Drunken Noodles
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
Cook Sausage
Grill or air fry Italian sausage links at 375°F for 12-15 minutes.
2
Sauté
In a pot, sauté sliced peppers, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes in olive oil.
3
Sauce
Add tomatoes, white wine, chicken broth, and pasta; bring to a simmer.
4
Simmer
Add sliced sausage to the pot; cover and simmer until pasta is cooked.
5
Enjoy
Stir in fresh basil and top with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Try our Italian Sausage and Cabbage Soup!
Drunken Noodles FAQ
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute with your favorite pasta variety.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Can this dish be made in advance?
I would not recommend making this dish in advance, especially if you use egg noodles, as pictured in this photo. Egg noodles do not hold up well to holding over or even reheating. If you’d like to make this in advance, use a thicker, heartier noodle like Al Bronzo Pasta by Barilla. That pasta is thicker, takes longer to cook, and doesn’t get as temperamental with being chilled and reheated. You will liked need extra chicken broth if using that type of pasta, as it takes more liquid to rehydrate it.
Serve this with…
More great Italian Sausage recipes to love!
Italian Drunken Noodles
This flavorful Italian Drunken Noodles dish is so simple to throw together but packs such incredible flavors!
Ingredients
- 1 pound mild Italian sausage links
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 bell peppers, multi-colored
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, diced
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 28-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes (whole or diced) with juice
- 1/2 cup white wine (Sav Blanc or Pinto Grigio are good options)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound pasta
- 6 leaves fresh basil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Brown your Italian Sausage links on the grill or in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes on 375°F.
- While the sausage cooks, heat the olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Remove the stems and seeds from the peppers and slice.
- Saute the peppers and onion for 4-5 minutes until they are lightly browned.
- Add the garlic, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes and let saute for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes to the pot. If using whole canned tomatoes, break them up a bit with a spatula.
- Add the wine, chicken broth, and pasta to the pot.
- Bring to a simmer.
- While the pasta is coming to a simmer, slice the Italian sausage links and add them to the pot.
- Cover and simmer until the pasta is cooked. Depending on the type of pasta you use, you may need to add a bit more liquid to the pot.
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the fresh basil and top with parmesan cheese.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 434Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1062mgCarbohydrates: 40gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 17g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.