Italian Drunken Noodles

Why You’ll Love It

Absolutely delicious: The white wine, fresh vegetables and herbs add vibrant aromatic flavors, while the pappardelle noodles and Italian sausage add more flavor and texture. This is such a tasty dish.
A quick and easy meal: You can make this simple Italian recipe in just half an hour.
You can customize it: Use a different kind of meat or other vegetables to change it up a bit. I like to see what’s in the refrigerator crisper drawer that needs to be used up!

Italian Drunken Noodle Recipe Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Pappardelle noodles: Use fresh or dried pappardelle noodles. You can use a different kind of pasta if you prefer.
Italian sausage: I like spicy Italian sausage. You can use mild or even sweet sausage.
Fresh vegetables: Colorful bell peppers add nutrients, flavor and a lovely crisp texture to the dish.
Italian seasoning: To infuse it with those wonderful Italian flavors.
Fresh herbs: Fresh parsley and fresh basil add elegant and aromatic flair.
Olive oil: To cook the sausage.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated or shaved parmesan is far superior to the grated parmesan you get in a box. Trust me, it’s worth it!

How to Make Italian Drunken Noodles

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Cook the Italian sausage: Cook the spicy Italian sausage in olive oil, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Set the browned spicy Italian sausage aside, leaving the sausage drippings in the pan.
Cook the vegetables: Add the onion to the pan and brown it, then add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the garlic and sliced bell peppers and cook a little more.
Make the sauce: Add the white wine and cook until reduced by half, then add the diced tomatoes and crumbled sausage, and cook gently.
Cook the pasta: Follow the instructions on the package to cook the pappardelle noodles, and then drain them.
The finishing touches: Toss the drained pasta in the sauce and then add the chopped parsley and half the basil. Toss again to mix, then serve this pasta dish immediately, garnished with the remaining julienned basil and some freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Substitutions and Variations

Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pappardelle noodles and check the ingredients in your sausage.
Another kind of pasta: Use fettuccine or tagliatelle if you like.
Other vegetables: Drunken noodles are typically made with onions and bell peppers, but you can substitute others – perhaps mushrooms, spinach, eggplant, or zucchini.
Spice it up: Add some red pepper flakes and use extra spicy sausage.
Different meat: Spicy Italian sausage is good, or you could use another kind of Italian sausage or even something else like ground beef.
Vegetarian version: Swap the Italian sausage for extra vegetables or perhaps some beans.

Serving Suggestions

Appetizers: Start the meal with burrata, tomatoes and pesto or
Side dishes: Italian pickled vegetables and focaccia would be good on the side.
Desserts: Continue the Italian theme with tiramisu Swiss roll or Italian almond cake.

How to Store Italian Drunken Noodles

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 3 months (although the veggies will get a bit mushy).
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm Italian drunken noodles back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.