Italian Drunken Noodles (Pasta Briaca

Italian Drunken Noodles are a bold, flavorful pasta dish inspired by Italian ingredients and cooked with wine for a rich, aromatic sauce. It’s hearty, slightly spicy, and perfect for a quick but impressive dinner.

Ingredients

12 oz (340 g) pasta (pappardelle, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb (450 g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
½ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
1 cup dry red wine (or white wine if preferred)
1 (14 oz / 400 g) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
¼ cup heavy cream (optional, for a creamy version)
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Brown the sausage
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess fat if necessary.
Sauté the vegetables
Add sliced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Season the dish
Add red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
Deglaze with wine
Pour in the wine and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan. This step gives the dish its “drunken” flavor.
Make the sauce
Add crushed tomatoes and broth. Reduce heat and let simmer for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in cream if using.
Combine pasta and sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water little by little if needed for a silky sauce.
Finish and serve
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil or parsley.

Tips & Variations

Use spicy Italian sausage for extra heat.
Substitute sausage with chicken, shrimp, or mushrooms.
Red wine gives deeper flavor; white wine makes it lighter.
Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.