Italian Style Drunken Noodles with Sausage, Peppers, and White Wine
Italian Style Drunken Noodles is a bold, colorful pasta dish packed with savory Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and fragrant herbs. The “drunken” element comes from a splash of white wine that adds depth and richness to the sauce as it gently reduces. Wide noodles are tossed directly into the flavorful mixture, soaking up every bit of the seasoned tomato and sausage sauce.
This recipe combines simple pantry ingredients with fresh herbs like basil and parsley for a vibrant finish. The combination of diced tomatoes with their juices, sautéed onions and peppers, and crumbled sausage creates a hearty, satisfying dish that’s full of classic Italian-inspired flavors. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Italian Style Drunken Noodles with Sausage, Peppers, and White Wine
Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy4–6
servings15
minutes20
minutes600–700
kcalIngredients
8 ounces wide noodles (egg noodles can be used if preferred)
28-ounce can diced tomatoes (with juice)
½ cup white wine (Chardonnay used)
19 ounces Italian sausage, casing removed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup fresh basil
4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
5 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 onion, quartered and sliced
Directions
- Prepare the Pasta and Heat the Oil
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the wide noodles according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until hot. - Brown the Sausage
Add the Italian sausage (with casing removed) to the hot oil. Cook until fully browned, breaking it apart into crumbles as it cooks. - Remove the Sausage
Once browned, remove the sausage from the pan and transfer it to a separate dish. Leave the rendered juices in the pan for the next step. - Sauté the Onions
Return the pan to heat and add the sliced onions. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. - Season and Add the Peppers
Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. After about 30 seconds, add the chopped red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. Cook for about 2 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly. - Add the Garlic
Stir in the crushed garlic and cook until fragrant, mixing it well with the vegetables. - Deglaze with White Wine
Pour in the white wine and allow it to reduce for about 2 minutes, letting the flavors concentrate. - Add Tomatoes and Sausage
Add the diced tomatoes along with their juice. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and fold everything together. Let the mixture simmer for 3 to 5 minutes to combine the flavors. - Finish with Olive Oil and Herbs
Turn off the heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil for added smoothness. Add the chopped flat-leaf parsley and half of the fresh basil, folding everything together. - Combine with Pasta
Add the cooked pasta directly into the pan. Using tongs, toss everything thoroughly until the noodles are evenly coated in the sauce. - Serve
Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately while hot.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For the best texture, cook the noodles just until al dente so they can finish absorbing flavor when tossed with the sauce.
