Ina Garten Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe

This Ina Garten Italian Drunken Noodles recipe is a bold and hearty dish, which includes Italian sausage and bell peppers. It’s a restaurant-quality dinner, ready in about 45 minutes.

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Ina Garten Italian Drunken Noodles Ingredients

• 12 oz wide egg noodles or pappardelle
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white or red wine
• 1 (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

How To Make Ina Garten Italian Drunken Noodles

1. Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sauté the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and crumbled, about 5–7 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Cook the vegetables: In the same skillet, add sliced bell peppers and red onion. Sauté until softened, about 6–8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
4. Deglaze with wine: Pour in wine and scrape the pan to release browned bits. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
5. Add tomatoes and seasoning: Stir in crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
6. Combine sausage and pasta: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the drained noodles and toss until everything is well combined and hot.
7. Finish and serve: Stir in chopped herbs. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• Best wine for drunken noodles:
  Use a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or a dry red like Chianti for rich flavor.
• How to make it vegetarian:
  Substitute sausage with plant-based crumbles or extra sautéed veggies.
• Can I prep it ahead of time?
  Yes, make the sauce and cook the noodles ahead, then reheat and combine.
• How to make it spicier:
  Use spicy Italian sausage and add more red pepper flakes.
• Best noodle substitutes:
  Try fettuccine, tagliatelle, or even rigatoni if you don’t have egg noodles.

What To Serve With Italian Drunken Noodles

Complete your meal with:

• Garlic bread or focaccia
• Caprese salad
• Roasted Brussels sprouts
• Caesar salad
• A glass of your cooking wine

How To Store Italian Drunken Noodles

Refrigerate:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freeze:
Freeze portions without Parmesan for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat gently.

Italian Drunken Noodles Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~580
• Carbohydrates: ~45g
• Protein: ~25g
• Fat: ~30g
• Saturated Fat: ~10g
• Cholesterol: ~70mg
• Sodium: ~850mg
• Fiber: ~4g
• Sugar: ~6g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I use sweet peppers instead of bell peppers?
Yes, any mild pepper variety will work.

What’s the best sausage for this recipe?
Mild or spicy Italian sausage, bulk or in casing with casings removed.

Can I skip the wine?
You can substitute with chicken broth, but it won’t have the same depth of flavor.

How to keep the noodles from sticking?
Toss them with a little olive oil after draining if you’re not adding them immediately.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use a larger skillet or pot and adjust cook times slightly.

Try More Recipes:

• Ina Garten Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Recipe
• Ina Garten Pot Roast Recipe
• Barefoot Contessa Roast Beef Recipe