Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach Recipe
This Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish combining tender spaghetti, savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic butter sauce topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that delivers comforting Italian-inspired flavors with a nutritious twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti
Protein and Vegetables
- 12 oz Italian sausage, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Fats
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cheese and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Brown the Italian sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced Italian sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pan with the sausage and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until the garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Wilt the spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the butter: Add the butter to the pan and stir continuously until melted and fully incorporated with the sausage and spinach mixture.
- Toss the spaghetti: Add the cooked spaghetti to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the garlic butter, sausage, and spinach mixture.
- Melt the mozzarella cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta in the pan and allow it to melt slightly before serving.
- Finish with parmesan and seasoning: Remove from heat, then sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately while warm and cheesy.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of garlic and cheese to suit your taste preferences.
- For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
- You can substitute spinach with kale or arugula for a different leafy green twist.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: garlic butter spaghetti, Italian sausage pasta, cheesy pasta recipe, spinach pasta, easy weeknight dinner, Italian sausage recipe