Description
This Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is a hearty and flavorful dish combining savory Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a rich garlic butter sauce tossed with spaghetti. Finished with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, this meal is perfect for a comforting dinner ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Sauce and Meat
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Cheese
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining and setting the pasta aside.
- Brown Sausage: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: Reduce heat to medium, add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Add Sauce and Seasonings: Pour in the marinara sauce and add Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine all the ingredients well.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce. Pour in reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Broil with Cheese: Transfer the spaghetti mixture to an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese on top. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the garlic butter spaghetti hot, optionally garnished with extra parmesan or chopped parsley for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency without thinning the flavors.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture and nutritional value, but baby spinach can be a good substitute.
- For a spicier dish, increase crushed red pepper flakes or add fresh chili peppers.
- Broil cheese carefully to avoid burning—watch closely during the last minutes.
- Italian sausage can be substituted with turkey sausage for a leaner option.
