Here’s a tasty Italian-style “Drunken Noodles” (or “Italian Drunken Noodles”) recipe — a fusion between Thai Pad Kee Mao and classic Italian pasta. Think spicy sausage, bell peppers, wine, garlic, and wide noodles all tossed together.
🍝 Italian Drunken Noodles — Recipe
Ingredients (serves ~4)
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Wide noodles (pappardelle, fettuccine, or egg noodles) | 8–12 oz |
| Italian sausage (casings removed) | 1 lb |
| Olive oil | 1–2 tbsp |
| Onion, thinly sliced | 1 |
| Bell peppers (red, yellow, or mix), sliced | 2 |
| Garlic, minced | 3–4 cloves |
| White wine (or cooking wine) | ½ cup |
| Diced tomatoes (with juice) | 1 can (about 14–28 oz, depending on how saucy you like it) |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat) | ¼ – ½ tsp |
| Salt & black pepper | to taste |
| Fresh basil, chopped | handful |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | for garnish |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | for serving |
Instructions
-
Cook the noodles
Boil the noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. You can reserve some pasta water in case you want to loosen the sauce later. -
Brown the sausage
In a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat, add a bit of olive oil. Crumble and brown the Italian sausage until cooked through. Remove and set aside. -
Sauté the veggies
In the same pan, add more oil if needed. Sauté onion and bell peppers until softened (3–5 minutes). Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds until fragrant. -
Make the sauce
Pour in white wine and let it reduce slightly (2–3 minutes). Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes to meld flavors. -
Combine everything
Return the browned sausage to the pan. Stir in fresh basil. Then add the cooked noodles and toss to coat everything evenly. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water. -
Serve
Garnish with chopped parsley and plenty of grated Parmesan. Serve hot.
Tips & Variations
-
Meat swap: Use ground chicken, turkey, or even shrimp instead of sausage.
-
No wine? Use chicken broth + a splash of lemon juice as a substitute.
-
Extra veggies: Add zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for more texture.
-
Spice it up: Increase red pepper flakes or add chili flakes.
-
Creamy version: Stir in a splash of cream or mascarpone just before serving for a richer sauce.
If you like, I can send you a printable version or convert it into metric units for your kitchen. Do you want me to send that?
