Description

Looking for the perfect easy dinner idea that delivers serious comfort and flavor? This Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is your next go-to. It’s a quick, hearty pasta dish featuring golden garlic butter, juicy Italian sausage, tender spinach, and a bubbling layer of mozzarella. Whether you’re in the mood for a weeknight dinner or something extra satisfying for the weekend, this easy recipe will impress without stress. It also sneaks in greens, making it a balanced dinner idea the whole family will crave again and again.

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti

1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed

4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

¾ cup marinara sauce

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Cook for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked.

3. Push the sausage to one side of the skillet. Add butter to the other side and melt. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Stir everything together, then toss in spinach. Cook until wilted. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

5. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Pour in marinara sauce and a few tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Toss to combine until everything is well coated.

6. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta. Cover for a few minutes to melt, or broil for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and golden.

7. Garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to help blend and loosen the sauce.

Use freshly grated mozzarella for smoother melting and better flavor.

Broiling the cheese topping gives the perfect golden, bubbly finish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop + Broiler
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
Calories: 640
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 960mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0.2g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: easy dinner, garlic butter spaghetti, cheesy pasta, Italian sausage pasta, comfort food