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A close-up of Italian Drunken Noodles in a white bowl, featuring wide pasta, savory meat, colorful bell peppers, and fresh green herbs.
Layla

Spicy Italian Drunken Noodles

A fiery and flavorful Italian twist on drunken noodles, featuring spicy sausage, a rich red wine tomato sauce, and fresh basil tossed with wide tagliatelle pasta.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion, Italian
Calories: 765

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Sauce
  • 1 lb Tagliatelle or Pappardelle Pasta
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 lb Hot Italian Sausage casings removed
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1-2 Fresno or Calabrian Chilies thinly sliced (optional, for extra heat)
  • 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes or to taste
  • 1 cup Dry Red Wine such as Chianti, Merlot, or Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 28 oz Can Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp Dried Oregano
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup Fresh Basil Leaves roughly chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup Grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan Cheese plus more for serving

Equipment

  • Large skillet or Dutch oven
  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Cutting board
  • Chef's Knife

Method
 

Make the Drunken Sausage Sauce
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Add the chopped onion, sliced bell pepper, and sliced chilies (if using) to the skillet. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables have softened.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer and let the wine reduce by about half, which should take 3-4 minutes.
  5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, a pinch of salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 15 minutes for the flavors to meld.
Cook Pasta and Assemble
  1. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil. Add the tagliatelle and cook according to package directions until al dente.
  2. Just before draining the pasta, carefully reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta in a colander.
  3. Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water, the grated Pecorino/Parmesan cheese, and the chopped fresh basil.
  4. Toss everything together over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings beautifully to every noodle. If the sauce is too thick, add another splash of pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of cheese.

Notes

Wine Choice: A good quality, dry red wine you'd enjoy drinking works best as it is a key flavor component.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of fresh chilies and red pepper flakes to your preference. For a milder version, omit them entirely or use sweet Italian sausage.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.