Description
Italian Drunken Noodles is a delicious twist on the classic Thai drunken noodles. This dish combines rich Italian flavors with the boldness of a spicy, garlicky sauce, creating a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and heat. With a base of pasta, fresh herbs, and a hint of red wine, it’s an easy-to-make yet elegant meal that will impress any guest.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz fettuccine or wide pasta (your choice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef/chicken)
- 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup red wine (or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage (or ground beef/chicken) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
- Add the sliced onion and garlic to the skillet, and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Pour in the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to cook for 2-3 minutes until it reduces slightly.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes for extra spice.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve hot, and enjoy your flavorful Italian drunken noodles!
Notes
- You can use any kind of pasta, but fettuccine or linguine works best for this dish.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the sausage with mushrooms or plant-based sausage.
- Feel free to adjust the level of spice by increasing or decreasing the crushed red pepper flakes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg