If you love bold flavors, hearty noodles, and quick weeknight comfort food, these Italian Drunken Noodles are going straight to the top of your recipe list. Inspired by the classic Thai dish “Pad Kee Mao,” this Italian fusion version features tender egg noodles tossed in a savory tomato-and-wine sauce, spicy Italian sausage, sweet bell peppers, and fragrant garlic and basil.
It’s rich, comforting, and beautifully layered with flavor—ready in under 30 minutes!
⭐ Ingredients
- 12 oz egg noodles, cooked to your liking
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup white cooking wine
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, not drained
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
🔪 Instructions
1. Brown the sausage and peppers
In a large skillet or saucepan with deep sides, add the ground Italian sausage and chopped bell peppers.
Cook over medium-high heat until the sausage is fully browned and the peppers begin to soften.
2. Add aromatics
Reduce heat to medium.
Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
Sauté for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
3. Deglaze with wine
Pour in the white cooking wine.
Let it simmer until the liquid is reduced by half, concentrating the flavor.
4. Build the sauce
Add the entire can of diced tomatoes (with juice), dried basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Mix well and let everything simmer together.
5. Add noodles
Stir in the cooked egg noodles, tossing until everything is well coated and heated through.
6. Serve
Top with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
Enjoy immediately!
🍷 Why It’s Called “Drunken” Noodles
The dish traditionally gets its name from being so flavorful and spicy that it’s perfect for eating after a night out—or because it pairs beautifully with a glass of wine. The wine reduction here gives the sauce a warm, robust depth that makes the dish unforgettable.
🔥 Tips & Variations
- Swap spicy Italian sausage for mild if you prefer.
- Add red chili flakes for extra heat.
- Use fresh basil instead of dried for a brighter finish.
- Try it with pappardelle or wide fettuccine if you prefer ribbon-style noodles.
