Are you in search of a different kind of noodle recipe? If yes, then you have come to the correct place. We will present you with an Italian drunken noodles recipe, which is a pasta dish. This pasta dish is the ideal mixture of Thai cooking and Italian preparation methods. This pasta is quite great as a full meal dish that you can consume for lunch or for dinner, and you can also prepare it for other people who enjoy noodles.
Our guide shows you how to make Italian Drunken Noodles from scratch in your kitchen. The directions follow a simple process, while the required ingredients are easy to find, and you will love the final outcome. No culinary school recipes here! With a little time and an adventurous spirit, you can fire up your kitchen and give it a shot.
What Are Italian Drunken Noodles?
The Italian Drunken Noodles dish presents Italian sausage combined with bell peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, which are served with wide egg noodles. The dish receives its drunken flavor from white or red wine found in the sauce. The dish gets its drunken flavor from white or red wine that is found in the sauce. The name “Italian Drunken Noodles” is derived from the Thai dish “Drunken Noodles,” but this version uses Italian ingredients instead of Thai ingredients.
The dish offers a colorful appearance that brings forth powerful flavors. Every piece of this dish unites sweet, spicy, and savory tastes. And best of all? This recipe requires minimal time for preparation.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here is a list of basic items that are easily available in all grocery stores.
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 pound of Italian sausage (Mild or Spicy)
- 1 large onion, sliced thin
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced (optional)
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup of white or red wine
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (14 ounces)
- Fresh parsley or basil for serving (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Guidance:
Step 1: Preparing the Noodles
You should boil a large pot of water. Add a pinch of salt to the water as it’s boiling. Add the egg noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes. Cooking them in this order makes certain that the noodles do not overcook, making it more difficult to drain later. Make sure to drain.
Step 2: Making the Sausage
Using a large pan or skillet, pour some olive oil and heat it on medium heat. Sauté the Italian sausage. While cooking, use a wooden spoon to cut all of it into smaller pieces. Do not let it sit through cooking; stir it fairly frequently to reduce the odds of burning.
Sausages are good to go when there is no pink left. This whole process should take around 6-8 minutes.
If there is excess grease in the pan after cooking sausage, you may dispose of some.
Just make sure not to dispose of the precious residue.
Step 3: Add Onions and Peppers
After cooking the sausage, put onions and bell pepper rings into the pan. Stir and cook for approximately 5-6 minutes. The peppers should be softened while the onions are turning golden. Make sure to give it a toss every now and then so it does not stick.
Step 4: Now Adding Garlic And Additional Ingredients
Add chopped garlic to the dish at this moment. After this, mix it well with the onion and peppers and cook for a minute or so. The garlic cooks quickly, so you should not let it cook for too long. After this step, add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. You can also add dried basil and oregano if you want to.
Step 5: Add the Wine
This step is the most enjoyable. Now, you need to pour wine that will add a bold taste to the sauce. It must bubble for 2-3 minutes. It is done so that all the alcohol is done away with, and only the rich taste is left, which will enhance the taste of the dish.
Step 6: Add Tomatoes
Step 6 is that you must add diced tomatoes and ensure that the juice of the tomatoes is there. Stir everything properly and keep it simmering for 5-6 minutes more. This step ensures that the sauce is slightly thickened.
Step 7: Mix in the Noodles
The last step is that you have to add sausage and pepper sauce. You also must mix them thoroughly so that all the flavors are absorbed. If you find that the sauce is very thick, you can add some wine or even some water.
Tips for the Best Italian Drunken Noodles
If you have some fresh herbs, toss them in the dish. Fresh basil or parsley can also be used to decorate the dish before serving.
Sausage must be selected very carefully. Mild sausage (not having strong pepper) is the best if you are not fond of spicy food. Alternatively, if you like spicy food, try spicy Italian sausage.
One most important tips is that this dish gives you scope for experimentation. You can use different types of noodles, such as egg noodles can be replaced by fettuccine, tagliatelle, or even spaghetti.
This is another very important tip: never ever skip the wine. Even a small splash of wine enhances the flavor, but ensure that you cook it long enough.
Instructions on What Goes Best with the Dish
While this dish can stand on its own, it can be accompanied by a few other things:
- Garlic bread: This dish works well with garlic bread. Bread can be used to soak up any leftover sauce.
- Green salad: A simple salad may also work well.
- Roasted vegetables: Carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms can also be added.
- Glass of wine: If you’re already adding wine to the dish, feel free to pour yourself a glass.
Why you will love this dish
The dish is unique in its own way. The best part about this dish is how rich and tasty it is. This dish can be enjoyed at any time, whether you are feeling cold or during family meals, or when you want to eat something hearty and flavorful.
The best part is that it takes less time to make and does not require too much effort. The ingredients used are not pricey either. You do not need to have special sauce on hand, and it will taste like something you can get in a fancy restaurant.
Make it your own:
The one thing people love about cooking is adding their personal touch. You can achieve this by:
- Adding mushrooms or spinach. These two ingredients would go perfectly with the sauce.
- Use ground chicken or turkey if you want something lighter than sausage.
- Try substituting alcohol with broth or a non-alcoholic option of your choice.
- It’s always encouraged to add some melted cheese on top.
Leftovers and Storage
After preparation, store any leftover food in sealed containers within the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. You should replace the steam with broth or water when reheating the dish to avoid drying out the food.
This dish also freezes well. After cooling down, place the pasta into freezer-safe storage. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Final Thoughts
Each serving of Italian Drunken Noodles delivers an exceptional dining experience. The preparation time remains short, and the ingredient list stays basic while omitting specialized equipment. This easy meal provides satisfaction during meals. The dish stands as a potential addition to your weekly culinary choices after trying it.
This dish should be your first choice when deciding what to prepare for dinner. Your family and visitors will thank you for the delicious meal that you have prepared.
