Italian Drunken Noodles

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Italian Drunken Noodles are a tasty twist on classic pasta dishes. This meal combines chewy noodles, savory Italian sausage, and colorful veggies in a wine-infused tomato sauce. You can whip up this delicious dinner in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

The dish gets its name from the splash of white wine used to create the flavorful sauce. Don’t worry – the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a rich taste that perfectly complements the other ingredients. With its mix of textures and bold flavors, this recipe is sure to become a new family favorite.

Exact Ingredients List

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these tasty Italian drunken noodles:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, your choice!)
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra kick)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 large bell peppers (mix of red, yellow, and orange), thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 8 ounces pappardelle pasta (or fettuccine if you can’t find pappardelle)

For garnish:

• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Remember to have some extra salt and pepper on hand to adjust the seasoning to your taste. You might also want to keep some pasta water after cooking – it’s great for thinning out the sauce if needed.

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a big skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until brown, breaking it up as it cooks. Take the sausage out and set it aside.

In the same pan, cook sliced onions for 5 minutes. Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until it smells good.

Mix in sliced bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in white wine and scrape the pan bottom. Let it bubble for 5 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes and cooked sausage back to the pan. Turn heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir often and taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper.

While the sauce cooks, boil water in a big pot. Add salt and pappardelle pasta. Cook until it’s just tender. Save 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Put the pasta in the skillet with the sauce. Mix gently to coat the noodles. If it’s too dry, add some saved pasta water.

Top with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. Serve right away and enjoy your tasty Italian drunken noodles!

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find all the ingredients? No worries! Here are some easy swaps you can make:

Pasta Options:

• Fettuccine
• Linguine
• Tagliatelle

These wide, flat noodles work great in place of pappardelle.

Meat Alternatives:

• Ground beef
• Ground turkey
• Plant-based sausage

Any of these can replace Italian sausage if you prefer.

Veggie Swaps:

• Zucchini
• Mushrooms
• Eggplant

Try these if you’re out of bell peppers or want to mix things up.

Wine Substitutes:

• Chicken broth
• Vegetable broth
• White grape juice

These work well if you don’t have wine on hand.

Cheese Options:

• Pecorino Romano
• Asiago
• Grana Padano

These hard Italian cheeses can stand in for Parmesan.

Remember, cooking is all about making the recipe work for you. Feel free to play around with these substitutes to create your perfect Italian drunken noodles!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

To make Italian Drunken Noodles more diabetes-friendly, try these simple swaps:

1. 
   

   Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pappardelle. This adds fiber and helps slow down sugar absorption.

   
   
2. 
   

   Cut the pasta amount in half and double the veggies. More bell peppers and onions mean extra nutrients and fewer carbs.

   
   
3. 
   

   Pick lean turkey sausage over regular Italian sausage. This reduces fat and calories.

   
   
4. 
   

   Skip the wine and use low-sodium chicken broth instead. You’ll still get flavor without the extra sugar.

   
   
5. 
   

   Go easy on the Parmesan cheese. Use just a sprinkle for taste.

   
   

Here’s a quick comparison:

Original	Diabetes-Friendly
White pasta	Whole wheat pasta
Italian sausage	Lean turkey sausage
1/2 cup wine	1/2 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup Parmesan	2 tbsp Parmesan

Remember to watch your portion sizes too. Aim for 1 cup of the finished dish per serving. Pair it with a big side salad to fill up your plate without spiking your blood sugar.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For the best Italian drunken noodles, use a large skillet or pan. This gives you plenty of room to toss the ingredients without making a mess.

Don’t overcook the pasta. Aim for al dente – it should still have a bit of bite. The pasta will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.

Try different sausage varieties for new flavors. Spicy Italian sausage adds a nice kick, while chicken or turkey sausage makes a lighter dish.

Short on time? Use pre-sliced peppers and onions from the grocery store. This can cut your prep time in half.

To store leftovers, let the dish cool completely. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the pasta from drying out. Warm it in a covered skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

For a make-ahead option, prepare the sauce in advance. Store it separately from the cooked pasta. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce and toss with freshly cooked noodles.