Description
Craving something comforting, flavorful, and quick? This Weeknight Garlic Butter Rotini with Beef, Italian Sausage and Spinach is a weeknight dinner winner. Packed with juicy sausage, savory beef, garlicky butter sauce, and tender spinach, it’s the perfect one-skillet meal that tastes like you ordered out—but came together in 30 minutes. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner recipes, quick pasta ideas, or a hearty comfort food fix, this dish hits all the right notes. It’s great for busy families, meal prep, or cozy solo nights in. Plus, it reheats beautifully!
Ingredients
16 oz rotini pasta
½ lb ground beef
½ lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
4 cups fresh spinach
4 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Push meat to one side of the skillet. Add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and golden.
4. Lower the heat and pour in heavy cream. Stir to combine with the meat and garlic. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add parmesan cheese. Stir until melted and sauce is smooth.
6. Toss in spinach. Stir until wilted, about 1–2 minutes. Add pasta water if sauce is too thick.
7. Add cooked rotini to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
8. Let rest off heat for 2–3 minutes to allow the sauce to settle. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for best texture and flavor—it melts beautifully into the sauce.
Don’t skip reserving the pasta water. It helps loosen the sauce and adds extra richness.
This dish gets even better the next day. Perfect for leftovers or meal prep lunches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: easy dinner, quick pasta, comfort food, garlic butter pasta, beef and sausage pasta