Description
A flavorful Italian twist on traditional drunken noodles, featuring wide pasta tossed in a savory sausage and tomato sauce infused with red wine and aromatic herbs. This hearty dish combines the richness of Italian sausage with the freshness of basil and a hint of spice, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz fettuccine or wide pasta (your choice)
Sauce and Meat
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (or ground beef/chicken)
- 1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup red wine (or chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use, then set the pasta aside.
- Brown the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage (or your choice of ground meat). Break it up with a spoon and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add the thinly sliced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the red wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavor.
- Add tomatoes and seasoning: Stir in the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the dish and add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if desired to balance the flavors and spice level.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese if using. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use chicken broth instead of red wine for a non-alcoholic version.
- Substitute Italian sausage with ground beef or chicken if preferred.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning the flavor.
- Fresh basil garnish elevates the fresh herb aroma and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
