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Italian Drunken Noodles

A vibrant and rustic Italian-American dish where spicy sausage mingles with tender egg noodles and colorful peppers, all brought together by a rich tomato and white wine sauce. Elegant enough for entertaining, yet wonderfully simple for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can 28 oz diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 12 oz egg noodles
  • 1/2 cup white wine such as Chardonnay
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil julienned
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fresh Parmesan cheese optional for garnish
  • Olive oil approximately 2–3 tablespoons for cooking and drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Place a large heavy pan or braising pot over medium-high heat and heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, crumble the Italian sausage into the pan and let it brown in the oil, forming small chunks. Remove the browned sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Into the same pan, add the diced bell peppers along with salt, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Stir everything together and allow it to sauté for about 2 minutes until the peppers begin to soften.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and once its aroma becomes noticeable, pour in the white wine. Allow the liquid to reduce almost completely.
  • Introduce the diced tomatoes along with their juice to the pan, then drizzle in a few tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in the chopped parsley and half of the julienned basil to enrich the sauce.
  • Return the browned sausage to the pan and gently fold to incorporate. Let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld, then turn off the heat and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, cook the egg noodles according to the package directions. Drain them thoroughly once done.
  • Add the drained noodles directly to the sauce, gently tossing with tongs to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
  • Divide the noodles into bowls for serving. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil and, if desired, a touch of grated or shaved Parmesan and a final drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

This dish tends to develop even deeper flavors when enjoyed the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently for best results.