Craving a comforting pasta dish that hits all the right notes of savory, creamy, and just a little indulgent? Meet your new favorite weeknight dinner: Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach. It’s cozy enough for a solo dinner but elevated enough to serve to guests.

This dish brings together the richness of garlic butter, the robust flavor of Italian sausage, and the freshness of wilted spinach, all bound with a melty cheese topping that gets golden in the oven. Each bite wraps around perfectly cooked spaghetti, delivering comfort and bold flavor with minimal effort.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the cooking, it helps to get everything in place for a smooth process. Here are the must-have tools:

Large Pot: You’ll need this for boiling the spaghetti to al dente perfection. A heavy-bottomed pot distributes heat evenly and prevents sticking.
Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: Essential for browning the sausage and combining the garlic butter and spinach. A deep skillet allows everything to come together without overcrowding.
Colander: For draining your pasta without losing those perfect strands.
Mixing Spoon or Tongs: These help toss the pasta evenly with the sauce and other ingredients.
Oven-Safe Baking Dish: If you want that golden cheese crust, you’ll need to transfer the pasta to a baking dish for a quick oven finish.
Grater: For freshly shredding cheese, which melts smoother and tastes better than pre-packaged options.

With these tools prepped and within reach, making this hearty and cheesy pasta becomes a fun, flavorful kitchen experience.

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

Let’s break down the star ingredients and why each one matters:

Spaghetti: This is the backbone of the dish. Its long, slender shape holds onto the buttery sauce and sausage bits like a dream.
Italian Sausage (mild or spicy): Delivers deep flavor and protein. It’s the hearty, savory anchor of the dish.
Fresh Garlic: Finely minced and sautéed, it infuses the butter with aromatic depth.
Unsalted Butter: The base of the sauce, butter brings richness and smooth texture to the pasta.
Baby Spinach: Adds freshness, color, and a nutritious boost that balances out the richness of the meat and cheese.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully for that gooey, stretchy top layer.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty edge and helps achieve a perfectly golden crust when baked.
Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances all the other flavors.
Optional: Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For those who want a hint of heat.

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

Step 1: Boil the Spaghetti

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Italian Sausage

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the Italian sausage until fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Remove and set aside, leaving a little of the drippings in the pan.

Step 3: Infuse the Butter with Garlic

In the same skillet, lower the heat and add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant—about 1 minute. Do not let it brown.

Step 4: Wilt the Spinach

Add baby spinach to the garlic butter. Stir until wilted and tender, about 2-3 minutes. Add back the cooked sausage and mix well.

Step 5: Combine with Pasta

Toss the drained spaghetti into the skillet with the garlic butter mixture. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce coats the pasta smoothly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Bake with Cheese (Optional but Recommended)

Transfer the pasta mixture into an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top. Broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

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

For serving, this dish shines as a standalone comfort meal. Just scoop it straight from the skillet or baking dish and plate it while the cheese is still hot and melty. Add a light sprinkle of extra Parmesan or fresh parsley for a touch of freshness. If you’re serving guests, consider pairing with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete dinner.

When it comes to storing leftovers, simply transfer any extras to an airtight container and refrigerate. It stays fresh for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce, or pop it in the microwave for a quick fix. For longer storage, this dish can also be frozen for up to a month—just thaw overnight and reheat as usual.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make this recipe spicier?

Use hot Italian sausage and add a generous pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the garlic butter. You could even toss in a few dashes of hot sauce.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Absolutely. Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine all work well—just stick with something that holds sauce effectively.

Is it okay to use frozen spinach?

Yes, but thaw and drain it well to avoid excess moisture. Fresh spinach is more vibrant but frozen is a solid backup.

Can I prepare this ahead of time?

Definitely. Assemble everything in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate. Just bake and broil when ready to serve.

What cheese substitutes work well?

Fontina, provolone, or a sharp white cheddar can replace mozzarella. Grana Padano or Pecorino Romano also work instead of Parmesan.

How do I keep the pasta from drying out when reheating?

Add a bit of liquid (water, broth, or milk) before reheating to keep the sauce creamy and prevent the pasta from drying.

Want More Comforting Pasta Ideas?

If this Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach satisfied your cravings, you might also enjoy other rich and cozy pasta dishes.

Try the creamy depth of the Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe if you’re after heat and comfort in every bite. Or explore the irresistible layers of flavor in the Delicious Beef Bowtie Pasta for a meaty, satisfying twist.

For something a bit more indulgent, check out the gooey, flavor-packed Best Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti, a fan favorite for good reason. And if you like a little heat, the Spicy Rattlesnake Pasta turns up the flavor dial with bold spices and creamy sauce.

Looking for a twist on tradition? The Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni brings together everything you love about garlic butter pasta with a creamy Alfredo kick.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this to your pasta boards for easy reference later. Just click the Pin button to add it to your Pinterest collection.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your twist. Did you use spicy sausage? Did you skip the broil or go heavy on the cheese? Leave a comment or message me. Your kitchen creativity inspires mine!

For more pasta dishes and everyday favorites, follow me on Pinterest at LadyPlate.

Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach

Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

A comforting, flavor-packed pasta dish made with garlic butter, savory Italian sausage, wilted spinach, and topped with melty cheese. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight indulgence or an easy dinner-party showstopper.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to low. In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

4. Stir in baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Return sausage to the pan and mix well.

5. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss with the garlic butter mixture. Gradually stir in reserved pasta water until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

6. Transfer mixture to an oven-safe dish. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

7. Broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve hot.