Italian Drunken Noodles (No Wine)
A bold, cozy skillet pasta with wide egg noodles, Italian-style turkey or beef sausage, sweet bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes—brightened with a quick broth-and-lemon deglaze instead of wine. Big flavor, weeknight-easy, and perfect with a shower of Parmesan and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
- 12 oz wide egg noodles (or pappardelle/fettuccine)
- 1 lb Italian-style turkey or beef sausage, casings removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil (use if sausage is lean)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced (any colors)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (for brightness)
- 28 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
- grated Parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles until just tender (al dente). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil if using, then crumble in the turkey or beef sausage. Cook, stirring, until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, leaving some fat in the pan.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and bell peppers with a pinch of salt. Sauté 5–7 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth and lemon juice to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and dried basil. Return the browned sausage to the skillet, stir, and simmer 5–7 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Add cooked noodles to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce seems tight, add a splash of reserved pasta water until glossy and well combined.
- Remove from heat. Stir in chopped parsley or basil, and finish with grated Parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 760mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g
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