An unique but homey combination of Italian and American tastes, Slow Cooker Italian Drunken Noodle is sure to please. The term “drunken noodle” comes from the splash of rich red wine that enhances the taste profile of this dish, which originates from the lively Italian kitchens. It’s ideal for those who are always on the go but yet want to have a healthy, elegant dinner. The use of a slow cooker simplifies the procedure and allows the flavors to harmonize exquisitely as time passes.

To cut through the richness of the noodles, try serving them with a simple side salad dressed with a mild vinaigrette. To really make it shine, try it with some crusty Italian bread. It will soak up any sauce that is left over. A plate of roasted veggies or a dollop of creamy risotto would round off the spread nicely.

Italian Drunken Noodles in a Slow Cooker

Number of servings: 6 to 8

What You Need:

• 1 pound of Italian sausage, without casings
• Slicing one big onion
• minced garlic cloves four
• Slicing one bell pepper
• One can of chopped tomatoes, not drained (14.5 oz.)
• Reserva de rosé, 1/2 cup
• 1 cup of chicken stock
• 1/4 cup of tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/3 teaspoon of dried oregano
• red pepper flakes, half a teaspoon
• Toss with salt and pepper.
• egg noodles, 8 ounces
• Parmesan cheese, half a cup grated
• For the garnish, some fresh basil
• How to Follow

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1. While cooking, crumble the Italian sausage into tiny pieces and brown it in a pan over medium heat.

2. Place the cooked sausage in a slow cooker and top with the chopped garlic, bell pepper, and onion.

3. Add the tomato paste, chicken broth, red wine, chopped tomatoes, and juice from the tomatoes.

4. Finalize by adding the oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Coat and simmer, covered, for 6 to 8 hours after stirring to incorporate.

6. Cook the egg noodles until they are al dente, about 20-30 minutes before you want to serve them. Before adding them to the slow cooker, drain them.

7. Before topping with grated Parmesan cheese, taste and adjust spices as needed.

Add fresh basil as a garnish just before serving.

Tips and Variations

Substitute turkey sausage with the pork for a leaner alternative. For a vegetarian version, you may add extra veggies like zucchini and mushrooms or use a plant-based meat replacement in place of the sausage. You may also modify the recipe to fit your dietary restrictions by trying it with gluten-free noodles or other pastas, such as pappardelle. You may make the sauce richer by adding a dash of heavy cream.