Description

This indulgent creamy garlic butter beef penne with sausage and spinach is a deliciously rich and comforting pasta dish. Featuring al dente penne enveloped in a luxurious garlic butter cream sauce, combined with savory Italian sausage and ground beef, fresh baby spinach, and plenty of parmesan. It’s an easy yet impressive meal perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 ounces Penne Pasta
1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 cup Reserved Pasta Water

Meat

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
12 ounces Italian Sausage (casings removed)
1 pound Ground Beef (85% lean)

Sauce

3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
4 cloves Garlic (minced)
1 cup Beef Broth (low sodium)
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)

Vegetables & Seasoning

4 cups Baby Spinach
Black Pepper (to taste)
Red Pepper Flakes (optional, to taste)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Brown the meats: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking them up with a spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Make the garlic butter base: Lower heat to medium, add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir for 30–60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Deglaze and simmer: Slowly pour in the beef broth while scraping the pan to release the flavorful browned bits. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 2 minutes.
Add cream and cheese: Stir in heavy cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Gradually add Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and combined.
Incorporate spinach: Fold in the baby spinach and cook, stirring, until it wilts, about 1–2 minutes. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta with the creamy sauce. Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
Final seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Make sure to reserve pasta water as its starchiness helps adjust and thicken the sauce.
For a spicier kick, add more red pepper flakes to taste.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid breaking the sauce.