Ah, Italian Drunken Noodles—I see what you’re going for: a fun Italian twist on the classic Thai “Pad Kee Mao”, mixing pasta, bold Italian flavors, and a touch of boozy richness 🍝🍷🌿. Here’s a recipe that balances garlic, herbs, and a splash of wine for a “drunken” kick:
🇮🇹 Italian Drunken Noodles
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2–3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- ½–1 cup white wine or dry vermouth
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Sauté veggies
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add garlic and onion; sauté 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add bell pepper and mushrooms; cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook 1–2 minutes.
- Deglaze with wine
- Pour in white wine and let simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly and absorb flavors.
- Optional: add crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Combine pasta
- Toss cooked pasta into the skillet with vegetables.
- Add Italian seasoning, a splash of reserved pasta water, and salt & pepper to taste.
- Finish
- Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh herbs.
- Toss to combine and coat noodles evenly.
- Serve immediately
- Optional: drizzle a little extra olive oil or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
Tips for Perfect Italian Drunken Noodles
- Wine: A dry white wine or vermouth works best; let alcohol cook off but flavor remain.
- Veggies: Feel free to add zucchini, spinach, or roasted red peppers for more variety.
- Protein boost: Add sautéed shrimp, chicken, or Italian sausage if desired.
- Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan makes a huge difference over pre-grated.
If you want, I can make a “spicy, indulgent Italian Drunken Noodles” version with garlic butter, red pepper flakes, pancetta, and a touch of cream—basically a restaurant-style pasta party.
Do you want me to do that?
