There are some nights when you need a dinner that’s fast, hearty, and packed with flavor, but you just can’t face making the same old spaghetti and meatballs. That’s where this Italian Drunken Noodles recipe comes to the rescue. Forget what you know about the spicy Thai dish; this is a completely different, Italian-American spin on the “drunken” concept, getting its name from the splash of Chicken broth that creates a rich, savory sauce. It’s a one-skillet wonder that combines zesty Italian sausage, tender egg noodles, and a robust tomato-chicken broth sauce into a meal that feels both rustic and incredibly satisfying.
Why make this Italian Drunken Noodles Recipe
If you’re not already convinced, here are a few more reasons why this recipe needs to be on your dinner rotation:
- Fast and Easy: With just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, you can have a complete, satisfying meal on the table in under 40 minutes.
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients, making it perfect for a last-minute dinner decision.
- One-Skillet Meal: After boiling the noodles, the entire sauce and assembly happen in a single skillet, which means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.
- Family-Friendly: It’s a crowd-pleaser! The flavors are familiar enough for picky eaters while being interesting enough for discerning palates.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
- 16 ounce Egg Noodles, cooked Al dente
- 2 medium Green Peppers, cleaned and diced
- 28 ounces Diced Tomatoes in can with juice
- 3 tsp Garlic, freshly minced
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Basil, dried
- ½ cup Chicken broth + a splash of lemon juice
- Parmesan Cheese, grated
- Parsley, fresh chopped
- Salt and pepper if desired
How to make Italian Drunken Noodles
Step 1: Grab a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the ground Italian sausage and the diced green peppers. Break up the sausage with a spoon and cook until it’s thoroughly browned and the peppers have softened. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Step 2: Lower the heat to medium-low. Now it’s time to build the flavor! Add the Italian seasoning and freshly minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn!
Step 3: Pour in the Chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Step 4: Add the entire can of diced tomatoes, juice and all, into the skillet. The tomato juice will form the base of our delicious sauce.
Step 5: Stir in the dried basil, and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Gently add your al dente cooked egg noodles to the skillet. Stir everything together until the noodles are fully coated in the sausage and tomato sauce.
Step 7: Continue to heat the dish, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly, clinging to every noodle.
Step 8: Remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the Italian Drunken Noodles hot, topped with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How to serve Italian Drunken Noodles
This dish is a complete meal in itself, but it’s fantastic served family-style right out of the skillet. I love to serve it with a side of crusty garlic bread to sop up any extra sauce and a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
How to store Italian Drunken Noodles
Leftovers are one of the best parts of this dish! Store any remaining Italian Drunken Noodles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and it makes for an amazing and easy lunch the next day. You can reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat. You might want to add a splash of water or broth when reheating on the stove to loosen the sauce.
Tips to make
- Pick Your Sausage: Feel free to use sweet, mild, or hot Italian sausage depending on your family’s preference for spice. You can also remove the sausage from its casing if you can only find links.
- Veggie Power: Don’t be afraid to add more vegetables! Sliced mushrooms, diced onions, or even a handful of spinach stirred in at the end would be fantastic additions.
- Noodle Choice: While the recipe calls for egg noodles, this dish is also great with other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Just be sure to cook them al dente! For another hearty Italian-style meal, check out this Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna.
- Cheese Please: For the best flavor and melt, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The pre-shredded kind often contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
FAQs About Italian Drunken Noodles
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the entire dish ahead and reheat it. Alternatively, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, just cook the noodles and heat the sauce, then combine everything.
Can this be made vegetarian?
Yes! To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the sausage and load up on more vegetables. A combination of mushrooms, zucchini, and red onion would be a great substitute. You could also add a can of cannellini beans for extra protein. If you love Italian sausage flavors, you might also enjoy this Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage Soup for another cozy meal.
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Final Thoughts
Italian Drunken Noodles is the kind of recipe that brings everyone to the table. It’s comforting, incredibly flavorful, and comes together so quickly you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner. The rich tomato sauce clinging to tender noodles and savory sausage is pure weeknight magic. Give it a try, and I guarantee it will become a new favorite in your dinner rotation!
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Italian Drunken Noodles – A Quick And Easy Recipe
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A quick and savory pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, peppers, and a Chicken broth, tomato sauce, ready in about 35 minutes.
Ingredients
1 pound Ground Italian Sausage
16 ounce Egg Noodles, cooked Al dente
2 medium Green Peppers, cleaned and diced
28 ounces Diced Tomatoes in can with juice
3 tsp Garlic, freshly minced
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Basil, dried
½ cup Chicken broth
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Parsley, fresh chopped
Salt and pepper if desired
Instructions
- Step 1: In a skillet over medium high heat, add the sausage and the diced peppers. Cook until the sausage is browned and thoroughly cooked.
- Step 2: Lower the heat to medium low, add the Italian seasoning and minced garlic, and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the Chicken broth and simmer until the liquid is reduced by about half.
- Step 4: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, then add the dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Step 5: Gently stir in the cooked noodles until they are well combined with the sauce.
- Step 6: Continue to heat the dish, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through.
- Step 7: Top with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian