Description
Craving something cozy, cheesy, and downright irresistible? This Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Cheesy Italian Sausage and Spinach is your answer. Loaded with bold Italian flavors, this dish brings together garlic-infused butter, juicy sausage crumbles, tender spinach, and golden layers of melty mozzarella and parmesan. Whether you need quick dinner ideas, a family-friendly meal, or just a new easy recipe to try, this pasta bake is sure to impress. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or when you just want a comforting food idea that feels a little extra.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
1 lb Italian sausage
3 cups fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup marinara sauce
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh basil, 2 tbsp ricotta or cream cheese
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, crumbling as it cooks until browned. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pan.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Stir in marinara sauce. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
5. Add cooked spaghetti to the sauce. Toss everything together, adding pasta water if needed to loosen the mixture.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer pasta mix to a greased baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Top with mozzarella and parmesan. Cover with foil.
7. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 2–3 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Let rest for 5–7 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil or chili flakes if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for best melting and flavor.
Let the dish rest before serving so it holds its shape.
Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce thickens too much before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dish
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 970mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: garlic butter pasta, easy dinner ideas, spaghetti bake, comfort food, cheesy pasta recipe