Description
This Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach is a quick, creamy, and comforting pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Loaded with garlic butter, gooey cheese, seared sausage, and fresh spinach, it’s a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal your family will love.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti
1 pound Italian sausage (mild or hot)
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups fresh spinach
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until melted into a creamy sauce.
5. Return the sausage to the skillet. Add cooked spaghetti and fresh spinach. Toss to combine, letting spinach wilt. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Always reserve pasta water—it’s the secret to perfect sauce consistency.
Use pre-shredded cheese for convenience, but freshly grated melts smoother.
Don’t overcook the garlic—just golden is perfect for maximum flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 85mg