Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Recipe

Introduction

Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish ready in just 30 minutes. Packed with savory sausage, fresh spinach, and melted cheese, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 400g spaghetti
• 250g Italian sausage
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage, crumble it as it cooks, and sauté until browned. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add spinach to the skillet and sauté until wilted.
5. Step 5: Return cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the drained spaghetti and toss everything together to coat the noodles in the garlic butter.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan on top. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2–3 minutes.
7. Step 7: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, toss gently again, and serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.
• Swap fresh spinach with kale or arugula for a different green flavor.
• Use turkey or chicken sausage as a leaner alternative to traditional Italian sausage.
• Add sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-cooked sausage for this recipe?

Yes, pre-cooked sausage can be used; just add it when mixing the pasta and spinach to warm it through before adding the cheese.

Is this dish suitable for freezing?

It is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze leftovers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove to maintain texture and flavor.

Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 111 reviews

A flavorful and comforting Garlic Butter Spaghetti tossed with cheesy Italian sausage and fresh spinach. This quick 30-minute meal combines perfectly al dente spaghetti with savory browned sausage, fragrant garlic butter, tender spinach, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a deliciously satisfying dinner.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Spaghetti

• 400g spaghetti

Sausage and Vegetables

• 250g Italian sausage
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy and Fats

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasonings

• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes or according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the cooked sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Garlic in Butter: In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to soften, taking care not to burn it.
4. Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic butter. Sauté until the spinach wilts completely, about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Add the drained spaghetti and toss everything well to evenly coat the noodles with the garlic butter, spinach, and sausage mixture.
6. Melt the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the pasta in the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit on low heat for 2-3 minutes, allowing the cheeses to melt thoroughly.
7. Season and Serve: Season the pasta with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss gently again to mix the cheese in. Serve the garlic butter spaghetti hot for a comforting and cheesy meal.

Notes

• Use fresh spinach for best flavor and texture; baby spinach works well.
• You can substitute Italian sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner option.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
• Make sure not to overcook the spaghetti to maintain a slight bite.
• For added richness, drizzle a little extra virgin olive oil before serving.

Keywords: garlic butter spaghetti, cheesy Italian sausage pasta, spinach pasta recipe, quick dinner pasta, Italian sausage recipe