Description
Looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that’s full of flavor and comes together fast? This Creamy Garlic Butter Beef Penne with Sausage and Spinach is the ultimate quick dinner idea. It blends the richness of garlic butter, the bold bite of Italian sausage, and the heartiness of ground beef with tender penne pasta—all coated in a velvety, cheesy cream sauce. With fresh spinach for a touch of green and plenty of melty mozzarella, it’s a family-friendly, crowd-pleasing, easy recipe that checks every box. Whether you’re seeking dinner ideas for tonight or a make-ahead meal for the week, this creamy pasta dish is one of those food ideas that’ll keep making its way back to your table.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
8 oz Italian sausage (sliced or crumbled)
½ lb ground beef
3 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp butter
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken or beef broth
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne until al dente, drain, and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the sausage until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Reduce heat to medium, add butter, then stir in minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30–60 seconds.
5. Pour in the cream and broth, then add Italian seasoning. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add spinach and stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes.
7. Return sausage and cooked pasta to the skillet. Mix to combine and coat in sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top. Cover for 1–2 minutes to melt, or broil briefly for a golden finish.
9. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with herbs if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly shredded mozzarella for the best melt—it makes the sauce extra smooth.
Don’t skip searing the sausage; it adds rich, caramelized flavor to the entire dish.
If the sauce thickens too much, a splash of reserved pasta water or broth will bring it back to life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, sausage pasta, easy recipe, comfort food