Description

Craving something rich, comforting, and full of flavor? This Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is the ultimate easy dinner idea that combines tender spaghetti, golden garlic butter, flavorful Italian sausage, and fresh spinach—topped with melty cheese. It’s one of those food ideas that works great as a quick weeknight dinner or when you need to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking for a new dinner idea or a cozy recipe to save for colder nights, this cheesy pasta dish is a guaranteed hit.

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti

1 tablespoon salt

1 lb Italian sausage

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

3 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1/2 cup ricotta or cream cheese (optional)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)

1/2 cup marinara or tomato sauce (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook Italian sausage in olive oil, breaking it apart. Brown for 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium, melt butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add spinach and sauté until wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Return cooked sausage and add drained spaghetti to the skillet. Toss everything together. Mix in ricotta or marinara if using.

6. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer spaghetti mixture to a buttered baking dish. Press lightly to pack.

7. Top with mozzarella, parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Bake for 10–12 minutes until cheese melts.

8. Broil for 2–3 minutes for a golden cheesy top.

9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Grate your own cheese for the best melt and flavor.

Slightly undercook the pasta to avoid overcooking during baking.

Let the dish rest after baking for cleaner slices and better flavor absorption.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baked
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of dish
Calories: 610
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 790mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: garlic butter pasta, cheesy spaghetti, dinner ideas, Italian sausage pasta