I’ve made many pasta dishes over the years, but this Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach has climbed straight to the top of my comfort food list. The first time I tossed spaghetti into a rich, garlicky butter sauce and layered it with melty cheese, spicy Italian sausage, and tender spinach, I knew I had struck gold. It’s bold, it’s creamy, and it’s the kind of meal that doesn’t need a side dish to be satisfying.

This is one of those recipes that feels indulgent without trying too hard. The garlic butter clings to every strand of spaghetti, the sausage gives it a hearty, meaty base, and the spinach? It sneaks in a little green goodness, cutting through the richness just enough to make you feel good about going in for seconds (or thirds). Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or looking to impress guests with minimal effort, this dish delivers.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Rich and comforting: That creamy, cheesy, garlicky sauce wraps around the noodles like a warm hug.
Hearty enough for a full meal: Thanks to the Italian sausage and spinach, it’s incredibly satisfying on its own.
One-pan sauce, minimal fuss: The sauce comes together while the pasta cooks—easy and efficient.
Customizable: Use your favorite cheese, switch up the sausage, or add in extra veggies.
Crowd-pleasing: Kids love it. Adults love it. Everyone will be asking for the recipe.

What Kind of Sausage Should I Use for Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti?

For this dish, I always reach for Italian sausage, and I lean toward the spicy variety because it adds a beautiful depth and just enough heat to balance the creamy, buttery sauce. But if you’re cooking for a more sensitive crowd (or kids), sweet or mild Italian sausage works just as well. You can use ground sausage or links with the casing removed—whichever is easier to find. Pork sausage is the classic choice, but turkey or chicken sausage are great leaner alternatives that still pack a ton of flavor.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is flexible and forgiving, so feel free to make it your own. Here are some easy swaps that work beautifully:

Spaghetti → Try fettuccine, linguine, or even penne if you prefer a different pasta shape.
Italian sausage → Ground beef, ground chicken, or a plant-based sausage can step in nicely.
Spinach → Kale or Swiss chard are excellent hearty greens that hold up well in the sauce.
Cheese → Mozzarella melts beautifully, but provolone, fontina, or even pepper jack can bring in new dimensions.
Heavy cream → If you’re cutting dairy, full-fat coconut milk makes a surprisingly delicious alternative.
Garlic butter → If you’re dairy-free, olive oil with minced garlic will still give you great flavor.

Ingredients for Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Let’s break down what each ingredient brings to the table in this flavor-packed dish:

Spaghetti
The base of the dish—long, tender strands that soak up the buttery garlic sauce perfectly.
Italian Sausage
This is the heart of the dish. Spicy or sweet, it adds bold flavor, savory depth, and a meaty bite.
Fresh Garlic
Garlic infuses the butter with irresistible aroma and punchy flavor that defines the sauce.
Butter
Rich and silky, butter creates a luscious base for the sauce and coats the pasta beautifully.
Heavy Cream
A splash of cream adds a velvety texture that makes the sauce luxuriously smooth.
Parmesan Cheese
Adds saltiness and depth, melting into the sauce for that signature cheesy goodness.
Mozzarella Cheese
For the ultimate gooey, melty finish on top—because cheesy pasta is always a win.
Spinach
Tossed in at the end, spinach wilts into the sauce and adds balance, color, and nutrients.
Salt & Black Pepper
Essential for seasoning—these basics make all the other flavors shine.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
A little kick of heat if you’re in the mood for extra spice.

Step 1: Cook the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water in case you want to thin the sauce later.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns. Cook until it’s fully cooked through and nicely caramelized—this adds a ton of flavor.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Base

Reduce the heat to medium. Push the sausage to one side of the pan and add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir everything together to coat the sausage in the garlic butter.

Step 4: Add Cream and Cheese

Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly. Then add the parmesan and stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Step 5: Wilt the Spinach

Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until it wilts down into the sauce. This usually takes just 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Combine with Spaghetti

Toss the cooked spaghetti directly into the skillet, using tongs to coat every strand with that cheesy, garlicky sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.

Step 7: Top with Mozzarella and Melt

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top and cover the skillet with a lid for a minute or two—just enough to melt the cheese into gooey perfection.

How Long to Cook Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

This dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy nights:

Pasta Cooking Time: 8–10 minutes (depending on the brand and type)
Sausage Browning: 6–8 minutes
Garlic Butter & Sauce Simmering: 5 minutes
Spinach Wilting & Cheese Melting: 2–3 minutes
Total Time: Around 25–30 minutes from start to finish

You can multitask by cooking the pasta while the sausage browns to save time.

Tips for Perfect Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach

Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
Don’t overcook the spinach: It should be just wilted to preserve its vibrant color and texture.
Taste as you go: Adjust salt, pepper, and spice to suit your preferences.
Reserve pasta water: It helps loosen the sauce and binds everything together without thinning out flavor.
Cook pasta just to al dente: Overcooked pasta can become mushy once tossed in the sauce.
Brown the sausage well: Those crispy browned bits are flavor gold—don’t rush that step.
Serve immediately: This dish is best hot and fresh when the cheese is still beautifully melty.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

Even though this dish is beginner-friendly, a few small missteps can affect the final result. Keep an eye out for these common mistakes:

Using low heat for the sausage: If the heat’s too low, the sausage steams instead of browns—you’ll miss out on flavor.
Burning the garlic: Garlic cooks fast in butter; stay close and stir constantly to prevent bitterness.
Adding too much pasta water: Just a splash is enough to loosen the sauce. Too much can water it down.
Overcooking the pasta: Al dente is key, especially since the pasta gets tossed back into the hot skillet.
Skipping the seasoning: Cheese and sausage bring flavor, but salt and pepper still matter.
Overloading with cheese: Yes, it’s cheesy—but balance is crucial. Too much can make the dish overly heavy.

What to Serve With Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach?

Looking to round out your meal? Here are some great side dish options:

Garlic Bread

A crusty slice of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every bit of the cheesy sauce.

Caesar Salad

The crisp romaine and tangy dressing help cut through the richness of the pasta.

Roasted Broccoli

A simple, roasted green veg adds balance and color to your plate.

Caprese Salad

Tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil bring a refreshing contrast to the warm pasta.

Lemon Asparagus

Light and zesty, this veggie side adds brightness without overwhelming the main dish.

A Glass of Red Wine

A bold red like Chianti or a medium-bodied Zinfandel pairs beautifully with sausage and cheese.

Antipasto Platter

Olives, cured meats, and marinated veggies make for a fun, Italian-style starter.

Sparkling Water with Lemon

If you’re skipping alcohol, this is a crisp, clean option that refreshes between bites.

Storage Instructions

Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach stores surprisingly well, making it a solid choice for meal prep or leftovers.

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.
Freezer: While you can freeze it, the texture of the pasta and spinach may change slightly. If freezing, use a freezer-safe container and store for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating tip: Add a bit of butter or cream when reheating to bring the sauce back to life. Stir frequently to keep it smooth and creamy.

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving – based on 6 servings)

Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on exact brands and measurements used.

Calories: 610 kcal
Protein: 25g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 95mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 960mg
Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of pasta works best if I don’t have spaghetti?

Linguine, fettuccine, or even short pasta like penne or rigatoni will still hold up well in the creamy garlic butter sauce.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare it a day in advance. Just store it in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of cream or pasta water to refresh the sauce.

Is it possible to make this dish lighter?

Definitely. Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, swap in turkey or chicken sausage, and go light on the cheese without losing too much richness.

Can I make it vegetarian?

Yes—simply skip the sausage or use a plant-based alternative. You can also add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.

Will frozen spinach work instead of fresh?

It can. Just make sure to thaw and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the sauce to avoid thinning it out.

How can I make it spicier?

Use spicy Italian sausage and increase the crushed red pepper flakes to your taste. A pinch of cayenne can also do the trick.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat on the stove over low heat with a splash of cream or milk, or in the microwave with a damp paper towel over the bowl to keep it moist.

Can I add other veggies?

Absolutely! Mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers would all taste fantastic in this dish and add more texture and color.

Conclusion

Cheesy Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Italian Sausage & Spinach is everything you want in a weeknight dinner—quick, indulgent, and layered with bold, satisfying flavors. It brings together the richness of a buttery garlic sauce, the heartiness of Italian sausage, the melt of cheese, and a touch of green from the spinach for balance. Whether you’re feeding a family or just yourself, this dish is the kind that turns a regular evening into something special with just one pan and a fork.