Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach

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If you’re searching for a weeknight dinner that’s rich, hearty, and unbelievably satisfying, this Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach will become your go-to. It combines golden strands of spaghetti, browned Italian sausage, fresh baby spinach, and a buttery garlic base—then tops it all with melty cheese. It’s rustic, comforting, and ready in under 40 minutes.

One of the best parts about this dish is how the flavors build. The savory sausage adds bold depth, the spinach cuts through with a slight earthiness, and the garlic butter sauce ties it all together like a warm culinary hug. This is pasta night with purpose.

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Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Spaghetti

This recipe is a dinner hero for so many reasons:

• It’s packed with protein and leafy greens.
• Comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
• Feels like restaurant-quality comfort food without the effort.
• The cheesy topping adds a crave-worthy finish.
• Easily customizable for spice lovers or veggie boosters.

Whether you’re feeding a family or just want comforting leftovers for lunch, this pasta dish hits every mark.

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What Kind of Sausage Should I Use?

Mild or hot Italian sausage both work beautifully in this dish—it all depends on your flavor preference. For a little kick, opt for spicy sausage. You can also experiment with turkey or chicken sausage to lighten it up. Just be sure to choose ground or bulk sausage (not links) for easy browning and even distribution throughout the spaghetti.

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Ingredients for the Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach

Let’s break down what makes this spaghetti dish so flavorful and satisfying.

Spaghetti: The classic pasta base that soaks up all the rich garlic butter and sausage juices. You can use linguine or fettuccine if desired.

Italian Sausage: The hero protein. Choose spicy for heat or mild for a more kid-friendly version. It brings a savory, meaty flavor.

Fresh Spinach: A boost of greens that wilts down beautifully and adds balance to the richness.

Garlic Cloves: Essential for building the buttery base and infusing the dish with bold, aromatic depth.

Unsalted Butter: Forms the foundation of the garlic butter sauce and adds luxurious texture.

Olive Oil: Helps brown the sausage and prevents the butter from burning.

Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances all the ingredients and lets them shine.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty finish that ties everything together.

Mozzarella Cheese: Melts into the hot spaghetti, making each bite gooey and satisfying.

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How To Make the Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach

Step 1: Boil and Salt the Water

Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet along with spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Toss with Pasta

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Pour in reserved pasta water a little at a time to help everything coat evenly. Toss until the pasta is glossy and well coated.

Step 5: Make It Cheesy

Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan over the pasta. Cover with a lid just long enough to melt the cheese. Serve hot with extra cheese if desired.

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How to Serve and Store Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach

This dish is best served hot and fresh from the skillet, when the cheese is still gooey and the garlic butter coats every strand of pasta. It comfortably feeds 4 to 6 people, making it a fantastic option for family dinners or casual gatherings.

To store leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to revive the sauce’s silky texture. This pasta holds up well and tastes just as comforting the next day.

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What to Serve With Garlic Butter Spaghetti?

Here are some tasty additions that round out the meal beautifully:

Garlic Bread

Double down on the garlic love with crisp, buttery garlic bread. Perfect for mopping up any extra sauce.

Simple Arugula Salad

The peppery bite of arugula with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the dish.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Earthy and slightly bitter, these add contrast to the creamy, cheesy pasta.

Caprese Skewers

Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze make a light and refreshing side.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Pair it with a warm bowl of soup for a cozy comfort food combo.

Grilled Asparagus

A quick charred side with a hint of citrus lifts the meal without overpowering it.

Sauteed Mushrooms

Rich, umami-packed mushrooms are a perfect complement to the sausage.

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Want More Pasta Dinner Ideas?

If you loved this Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach, you might want to explore more pasta-based meals that bring just as much flavor and comfort:

• Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna for a creamy seafood twist.
• Cheesy Spinach Stuffed Shells for a vegetarian baked pasta that oozes comfort.
• Delicious Beef Bowtie Pasta for a family-friendly favorite with a beefy base.
• Creamy Ground Beef Alfredo Pasta when you crave something extra indulgent.
• Stovetop Creamy Ground Beef Pasta for a one-pot wonder you’ll keep on rotation.

These recipes are perfect for easy weeknight dinners or special weekend meals.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go for spicy sausage or mild? Did you add extra greens or switch up the cheese?

I love hearing how you put your spin on it. Feel free to ask questions, too—let’s make dinner even better together!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting meals and comfort classics on NoraNosh Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next favorite dish!

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