Description
This Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach is a flavor-packed, cozy pasta dish that’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. With a velvety garlic butter sauce, hearty sausage, tender spinach, and gooey cheese, it checks every box for comfort food lovers. Whether you’re craving a quick dinner, a savory comfort meal, or fresh dinner ideas, this easy recipe brings bold taste with minimal fuss. Great for easy dinners, food ideas, and hearty pasta dishes with a touch of green.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cups fresh spinach
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
½ cup reserved pasta water (more as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook Italian sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Reduce heat and add butter to the sausage. Once melted, stir in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add fresh spinach and sauté until just wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
5. Add cooked spaghetti and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and coat noodles in sauce.
6. Stir in grated Parmesan until melted. Adjust sauce with more pasta water if needed.
7. Top with shredded mozzarella and cover until melted, or broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly.
8. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese—pre-shredded doesn’t melt as smoothly.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it brings the sauce together beautifully.
If using spicy sausage, skip red pepper flakes unless you want extra heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: easy dinner, comfort food, quick pasta, garlic butter, sausage pasta, spinach recipes, dinner ideas