A delicious and hearty Garlic Butter Spaghetti dish featuring cheesy Italian sausage and fresh spinach, perfect for a comforting meal.
Author:Jessica
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Pasta
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the chopped spinach and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sausage and spinach mixture. Gradually add reserved pasta water as needed to create a light sauce.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together until well combined.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a creamier sauce, add 1/4 cup heavy cream when combining the spaghetti with the sausage mixture.
To make it a vegetarian dish, substitute the Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or mushrooms.