🍝 Italian Drunken Noodles (Pasta alla Ubriaca)
A rustic, wine-infused Tuscan pasta with bold flavors—garlic, tomatoes, herbs, and a splash of red wine!
Why “drunken”? The pasta cooks in red wine, giving it a deep, rich flavor (and its boozy nickname).
🍷 Ingredients
For the Pasta:
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12 oz (340g) pappardelle or fettuccine (or any long pasta)
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3 tbsp olive oil
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust for spice)
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1/2 cup dry red wine (Chianti, Sangiovese, or Cabernet)
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1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
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1 tsp dried oregano
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Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Finish:
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1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan
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Optional: Sautéed mushrooms, Italian sausage, or spinach
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
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Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic & red pepper flakes, sauté 1 min (don’t burn!).
3️⃣ Deglaze with Wine
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Pour in red wine, simmer 2-3 mins until reduced by half.
4️⃣ Simmer the Sauce
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Add crushed tomatoes, sugar, oregano, salt & pepper. Simmer 10-15 mins until thickened.
5️⃣ Combine & Finish
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Toss cooked pasta in the sauce, adding pasta water as needed. Stir in basil, parsley, and cheese.
6️⃣ Serve
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Top with extra cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, and crusty bread for soaking up the sauce!
💡 Tips & Variations
🔥 Extra rich? Add a splash of cream or butter at the end.
🍄 More hearty? Sauté mushrooms or Italian sausage with the garlic.
🌿 Vegan? Skip cheese, use nutritional yeast.
🍷 No wine? Substitute with vegetable broth + 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
Why You’ll Love It
✅ One-pan, 30-minute meal with restaurant-quality flavor.
✅ Perfect for using up leftover wine (or drinking the rest with dinner!).
✅ Naturally vegetarian but easy to customize with protein.
Pair with: A glass of the same red wine you cooked with! 🍷
Want a spicier version? Double the red pepper flakes or add Calabrian chiles! 🌶️ Let me know if you’d like a seafood twist (shrimp or clams work great too).